The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has officially ratified the election of William Mutai as the new Majority Leader in the Nakuru County Assembly. This move comes after prolonged leadership wrangles within the assembly, culminating in the ousting of former Majority Leader Alex Langat in September 2024.
The decision was formalized at the Hustler Centre, the UDA party headquarters in Nairobi, during a meeting convened by Fadhili Msuri, the Majority Whip. The election, which adhered to Standing Order 19 of the Nakuru County Assembly, marks a significant step in resolving internal disputes and fostering legislative cohesion.
Leadership Changes Ratified
UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar confirmed the leadership change in a letter addressed to Msuri. Omar urged assembly members to focus on unity and collaboration to advance the party’s legislative agenda in Nakuru County.
“The party acknowledges communication regarding the changes and equally acknowledges the same and further guides that members strive to foster cohesion in the Assembly to realize the legislative agenda of the party in Nakuru,” Omar stated.
This development followed a letter from Msuri, officially notifying the party of the decision made by UDA-allied Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to elect Mutai.
Ouster of Alex Langat
The leadership dispute traces back to September, when 31 UDA-affiliated MCAs unanimously voted to remove Langat as Majority Leader. The resolution, dated September 11, accused Langat of failing to convene meetings and obstructing oversight duties.
Fadhili Msuri, in a letter signed on behalf of the ward representatives, outlined the reasons for Langat’s removal, including his alleged protection of corrupt individuals within the Nakuru County Government and a two-year failure to organize party meetings.
“Langat has not called a meeting for UDA members for two years, thereby denying them a platform to discuss matters crucial to the party,” the letter stated. Msuri further alleged that Langat consistently shielded officials implicated in significant corruption cases from accountability, undermining the oversight role of MCAs.
Court Intervention
Langat, however, challenged his removal in court, obtaining an order barring the MCAs from replacing him until the case was resolved. The court later referred the matter to the UDA party for arbitration, allowing internal mechanisms to address the impasse.
Party-Led Resolution
In compliance with the court’s directive, the UDA headquarters facilitated the arbitration process, resulting in the recent leadership changes. The endorsement of Mutai by the party’s top officials underscores the importance of unity within the assembly.
The newly elected Majority Leader, William Mutai, is expected to restore harmony and steer the legislative agenda in Nakuru County Assembly. His leadership will be critical in fostering accountability and transparency, particularly in the wake of corruption allegations within the county government.
Moving Forward
The party has called on MCAs to embrace collaboration and focus on delivering their mandate to the people of Nakuru. The endorsement of Mutai signals a fresh start for the assembly, with hopes of enhanced legislative efficiency and oversight.
As Nakuru County continues to address pressing developmental challenges, the UDA leadership change aims to streamline operations and prioritize the needs of constituents. Whether Mutai’s leadership can resolve long-standing issues and promote accountability remains to be seen, but his election signals a commitment to strengthening governance in Nakuru.
