A meeting of the National Executive Council of Eldoret North MP’s United Democratic Movement has been thrown into disarray as internal wrangles persisted yesterday. This is after secretary general Martin Kamwaro wrote to the Registrar of Political Parties to block the meeting which he termed as illegal and unconstitutional.
Whereas Kamwaro insisted the meeting has been convened in violation of the party constitution, chairman Joseph Chirchir said the meeting is legal and will proceed. Kamwaro said today’s meeting will not take place and has asked members not to attend while Chirchir maintained the meeting is on and has been convened properly.
Yesterday, the SG wrote to the Registrar’s office and copied to Chirchir warning against the meeting saying its resolutions will not be binding. He told the Registrar that any decisions or resolution of today’s meeting will not be binding in anyway to the members and will be null and void to the extent that the meeting offends the letter and spirit of the party constitution.
“My attention is drawn to an SMS circulated yesterday (Wednesday) to members by the UDM Interim chairman Joseph Chirchi calling for an emergency NEC meeting to be held on Friday 6th, in Nairobi,” “This is therefore to notify you that the meeting is contrary to the provisions of the party constitution under Article 30 (4),” Kamwaro’e letter to the registrar read yesterday.
The Article stipulates; “National Executive Council shall meet in every three months except for emergency meetings which may be convened by the Secretary General according to exigencies of time and in consultation with the National Chairperson or by a written request by 30% of members thereof”. “Take notice therefore that any resolutions or decisions emanating from this illegally convened meeting shall not be binding to the embers and shall be null and void to the extent that the meeting is offending the spirit and letter of the party constitution.” Kamwaro argues thereof that this section was not followed by the chairman while convening the meeting.
However yesterday, Chirchir insisted this the party constitution under Article 16, 1 (a) subsection VII, gives him powers as the National chairman to “Convene and preside over NEC meetings”. “This is the section which gives me unfettered powers to convene the meeting. Again 60% of the members (more than 30%) petitioned me in writing, which is also provided under section 30 (4),” Chirchir added. Ruto had earlier told the Star that the chairman was to convene the meeting whish is set to discuss the impending grassroots elections and set the dates.
But Kamwaro sent texts to members yesterday calling off the meeting saying he had not been consulted as alleged by Chirchir who maintained he ahs spoken to him since Monday. “It has come to my attention as SG of UDM that the acting party chairman has convened a NEC meeting tomorrow, 6th January. I wish to notify you that the meeting is illegal and unconstitutional as it contravenes article 30 (4) of UDM constitution and any resolution or decision of the meeting shall be null and void.” His text read.
Even as the wrangles persisted Ruto’s key allies Belgut MP Charles Keter and his Cherangany counterpart Joshua Kutuny indicated that the Eldoret North MP is set to leave the party. Kutuny said that UDM was almost moribund and it’s through Ruto’s efforts that the party had turned away while Keter warned time was fast running away. “We have identified two or three parties from the 47 registered ones and I can assure we have done a groundwork and it is a matter of time before we quit,” Keter added.
On his side Kutuny said “these people must put their house in order and if the NEC meeting fixes the polls, the better otherwise, we are on our way out.” The two legislators refused to divulge further information on the parties they have approached by maintained, they are among the 47 registered ones.
Yesterday, Kamwarp refuted Ruto’s accusation that the NEC officials were opposed to the grassroots elections saying that they were only opposed by outsiders dictating them. “What we don’t want are some ODM members to push us around in total disregard of party structures and rules,” he added. The SG also sought to clarify that members were not opposed to Ruto but what eh termed as ODM membership external influence of the party. Kutuny and keter warned that UDM risks going to oblivion once Ruto and his allies decamp to another party.
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