Sacked UDF officials blame Mudavadi’s spokesman

By ERIC LUNGAI

United Democratic Front (UDF) officials in Vihiga have accused leaders close to party leader Musalia Mudavadi of sacking them unlawfully.

Some of the officials have pointed fingers at Mudavadi’s spokesperson Kibisu Kabatesi for their woes.

Former party treasurer June Omombo, who was said to  have defected disputed the claims saying she had never left UDF.

“If one defects from a political party, there are several procedures they follow. I have never defected from UDF and my sacking is unlawful and motivated by people close to Mudavadi who have personalised the party,” Ms Omombo told The Standard yesterday. 

ENTIRE BRANCH

In a statement that was circulated to journalists via mail from Kabatesi, Mudavadi’s personal secretary and spokesman, the entire UDF officials in Vihiga branch have been sacked for various transgressions.

This has elicited outrage from the officials who say they were not consulted nor were they involved before the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) sealed their fate. They say they are yet to receive official communication.

“If UDF party carries a national outlook and represents the views of all Kenyans, why did several members sit somewhere to decide for the officials who have been serving the party for many months now without having even informed them?” Omombo posed, adding: “Kabatesi is denying UDF a national outlook by trivialising local matters.”

She alleged Kabatesi had been left to run the party and wondered why the party leader had abdicated his role.

But Kabatesi, in his defense, said they should not blame him for their own woes.

“If they are acknowledging that they were removed by party officials, how do I come in?” wondered Kabatesi.

“The facts are clear. NEC ratified their removal and installed a new interim office to run affairs of UDF in Vihiga County Branch. The entire branch office faced serious charges of breaches of the UDF party constitution and Political Parties Act in a petition from their sub-branch and ward colleagues as attested to in the attached petitions and resolutions,” he said.

Branch secretary and nominated MCA, Nathan Kamidi, who is thought to be the hardest hit by a nomination recall petition, told The Standard that he was not aware that he had been sacked.

 “I am not aware that I have been sacked. I just read about it in the papers,” Kamidi said.

The nomination recall petition against Kamidi cites gross violation of the Political parties Act, UDF constitution, and indiscipline by making disparaging statements about the party and its leadership at all manner of forums, particularly by speaking to the media often.

PARTY MANDATE

Kabatesi said even though Kamidi was nominated by UDF, he had failed to support the party’s interests in the county assembly, thereby warranting his recall.

“When a party nominates you, you should be prepared to carry out its mandate. But when you openly support our opponents, the party will not sit back and watch,” Kabatesi said.

The NEC meeting was chaired by party chairman Aden Hassan and attended by Mudavadi.

Those replaced include former Chairman Julius Agida, Organising Secretary Isaiah Amuko and Treasurer June Omombo.