How Ruto plans to silence Gachagua allies

By Newsflash Team

The sudden expulsion of Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba and the official declaration of her seat as vacant via a gazette notice has triggered alarm among MPs and MCAs allied to impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), through its National Executive Committee (NEC), has reportedly directed party officials to monitor and document public statements made by dissenting members as groundwork for potential disciplinary action. According to sources, UDA plans to first target nominated members since their replacement does not necessitate a by-election.

For elected officials, party strategists believe that pursuing disciplinary proceedings will bog them down with legal battles, keeping them distracted. UDA aims to fast-track these cases within the system and avoid the mistakes that hampered similar efforts by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga, who failed to expel errant members during their tenures.

Rebels face intimidation

But beyond expulsion threats and committee removals, allies of the former DP told Newsflash that they are facing heightened pressure, including investigations by state agencies, withdrawal of police security, restricted access to venues, denial of rally permits, threats of arrest, anti-corruption probes, and financial inducements aimed at winning them over.

Orwoba was granted temporary relief on Wednesday when the High Court halted her expulsion, pending a ruling on her petition against the UDA disciplinary committee and the Registrar of Political Parties. The senator recently voiced support for former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, a key figure in coalition talks with Gachagua. However, the court order came after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi had already formalized her removal and declared her seat vacant.

“We know legal procedures take time, but we are committed to enforcing party discipline,” said UDA National Organising Secretary Vincent Musau. Musau, who is also a member of the NEC, said the party’s leniency may have emboldened defiant members.

“We handle each case on its own merits. We have no issue with our members appearing at events alongside rival politicians, as long as they don’t contradict UDA’s positions or manifesto,” he added. Musau revealed that NEC had reviewed the conduct of other members, including elected legislators, though no official complaints have been filed so far. Still, the party continues to keep tabs on dissenting voices.

Hardline stance

This hardline stance has reportedly unnerved Gachagua’s loyalists, who have witnessed a wave of disciplinary actions. Gachagua himself was removed from office in October, and several of his key allies in Parliament were stripped of committee leadership roles in a sweeping purge.

Among those affected were Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, formerly the chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee; Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu; Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa; and Kirinyaga Senator James Murango. Also ousted were Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, who led the Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Committee; Runyenjes MP Eric Karemba, head of the Labour Committee; and Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, who chaired the Regional Integration Committee. Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba was also demoted from her position as chair of the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee and reassigned to the Facilities and Services Committee.