Why Six petitioners in Murang’a want UDA nomination list revoked

Six petitioners have filed a case in the chief magistrate’s court in Murang’a seeking to revoke UDA nomination of 12 MCAs.

Joseph Munyao, Risper Nyambura, Rose Muthoni, Jane Wanjiku, Jane Njeri and Angela Mueni filed the petition through their lawyer Musungu, Miriti & Naliaka Advocates.

They argue that the UDA’s list was skewed and did meet constitutional merit. 

The petitioners are contesting the nomination of Kagiri Dinah Damaris Muthoni, Hannah Wairimu Kamau, Muchiri Pauline, Kigotho Jane Mukami, Gladys Wambu, Mwangi Priscilla Njeri, Njiri Juliani, Wainaina Mark Gicheru, Chege Antony Murubu and Maina Grace Wambui.

The above MCAs were already sworn in two weeks ago and assumed various roles in the assembly.

The petitioners in the affidavit claim that UDA leadership in Murang’a contravened the law while doing the nominations and thus the nominees don’t deserve to hold the positions.

They further noted that five out of the 12 nominees come from Kiharu constituency while Gatanga and Kangema didn’t get any slots.

The petitioners retaliate that the county has seven constituencies and as such, it would only have been just and equitable for the nomination slots to be distributed equally.

They said the list falls short of the principle of fair representation under Articles 81 and 100 of the Constitution as read with Regulation 20 of the Elections (Party Primaries and Party Lists) Regulations, 2017.

UDA legal secretary and Gatanga MP Edward Muriu said the nominations fall short of the legal threshold under the Constitution 2010 and the Election Act.

“It is high time as a party we correct the glaring mistakes and have the list nullified and be reconstituted afresh to ensure fairness, “Muriu told the Star.

He noted that the UDA position was to reward every constituency with a nomination.

“UDA is the government of fair distribution of resources and appointment and no one should feel shortchanged,” he said.

Former Mt Kenya MCA caucus chairman Charles Mwangi said that party nomination should always be conducted in a fair manner.

He said that those who tirelessly worked for the party should be the first to be awarded.

“Party nominations are always reserved for those loyalists and the positions should always be distributed equally, “Mwangi said.

About The Author