UDA defends nomination of KRA boss to head its elections

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has defended the nomination of KRA boss Anthony Mwaura to head its national elections board and KPLC chairperson Joy Midivo to the internal dispute resolution committee.

The party denied allegations that this was against the Ethics and integrity Act noting that the duo were not public officers as alleged by ODM.

On Wednesday, ODM called for the resignation of the two for accepting to run the UDA grass root elections noting that they were public officers.

But defending the duo, UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala termed the allegations by ODM as unfounded as the two were not public officers.

Malala said that the qualification to be a chairperson under the law was that one must not be a Public Officer adding that the Chairpersons of Boards were appointed by the President discretionally and are not remunerated as employees

“We are guided by judicial precedents and determinations that have found that Chairpersons of State corporations are not public officers as per Article 260 of the Constitution,” he said.

Addressing the press in Naivasha, Malala hit out at ODM for failing to hold grassroots elections and uphold democratic principles within its own organizational structure.

“The absence of grassroots election within the ODM party since its inception, close to 20 years ago raises serious questions about its commitment to democratic processes,” he said.

He revisited the status of the economy noting that the cost of basic goods like flour and electricity had gone down with the shilling getting stronger.

“The nomination of Raila Odinga, to the position of AU Commission Chair has sparked internal wrangles and power struggles within the ODM party and they should instead address this,” he said.

Malala added that the party had received over Ksh 345 million from the Registrar of Political parties for its activities and challenged ODM to come clean on the same.

On her part, Margaret Ndanyi from ANC said that the Naivasha meeting was meant to take stock and seek one voice under the Kenya Kwanza government.

This was echoed by Ford-Kenya National chairman Joel Ruhu who said that the country was on the recovery trail after harsh economic times.

Reporting by Antony Gitonga