UDA Restructures Deputy Party Leadership in Response to Gachagua Concerns
The National Executive Committee meeting of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), presided over by President William Ruto, has agreed to revise the party constitution to establish a singular role of Deputy Party Leader.
This decision is a significant victory for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who had concerns about the formation of three distinct deputy party leader positions.
Under the revised amendment, the party has instead established two roles of Assistant Deputy Party Leaders to better align the party’s leadership structure with the national governance system.
“The President and UDA Party Leader conducted the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Friday, where they addressed ongoing Grassroots Elections.
“The Committee commended the National Elections Board for successfully launching the grassroots election, which will continue through three planned phases,” stated party Secretary General Cleophas Malala.
“The Committee also sanctioned a change to the UDA Constitution to create one Deputy Party Leader position and two Assistant Deputy Party Leader positions, harmonizing our party’s leadership structure with the national governance system,” said Mr. Malala.
The UDA constitution previously allowed for three deputy party leaders: one focusing on Policy and Strategy, another overseeing Operations, and the third managing party Programs.
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The decision to revise the provision follows ongoing pressure from politicians in the Mt Kenya region advocating for a singular deputy leader position to be dedicated to Mr. Gachagua.
Several Mt Kenya MPs recently argued that having multiple deputy party leaders could undermine DP Gachagua’s influence, particularly concerning the 2032 succession politics.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga led Mr. Gachagua’s supporters in insisting that the deputy party leader role be assigned exclusively to DP Gachagua.
“There should be one party leader and one deputy party leader; any other positions can vary, but this demand is from UDA members,” stated Mr. Kahiga.
Mathira MP Eric Mwangi echoed these sentiments, asserting: “There is one President who is the party leader and one Deputy President who should be the sole deputy party leader.”
The call to allocate the position to Mr. Gachagua stemmed from comments made by Senate Majority Leader Boni Khalwale, who advised the second-in-command to prepare for a western region takeover of the State House after President Ruto’s tenure.
UDA MPs from western Kenya have been advocating for a broader party structure.
UDA Restructures Deputy Party Leadership in Response to Gachagua Concerns
