NAIROBI, KENYA — The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has dismissed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s public resignation from the party, asserting that his membership was terminated earlier this year following his removal as Deputy Party Leader.
In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, UDA characterized Gachagua’s announcement as “mere theatrics” and “inconsequential,” stating that the party had already notified the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) of his removal in January.
“The ruling party, UDA, officially removed Rigathi Gachagua as its Deputy Party Leader, which automatically revoked his membership. Today’s long paragraphs and ‘exit’ from the party amount to theatrics—null and void,” the party stated. Documents shared by UDA indicate that the party had previously communicated with the ORPP regarding changes to its National Executive Committee (NEC).
A letter obtained by the Star, dated January 16, detailed the decision made during the November 11, 2024, NEC meeting to replace Gachagua with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as Deputy Party Leader.
“This is to notify you of changes in officials made as per the National Executive Committee meeting duty held on November 11, 2024, at the Party Headquarters notice convening the meeting, duly signed attendance register, minutes of the meeting, extract of Resolution on the meeting and duly signed form P.P 7 form,” the January 16 letter read.
The ORPP confirmed receipt of the documentation and acknowledged that the process followed was in accordance with UDA’s constitution.
“This Office receives your letter dated January 16, 2025, submitting documents in support of the application for change of Deputy Party Leader,” the ORPP letter stated.
The ORPP also initiated the gazettement of the changes and directed the party to publicize the update in a national newspaper.
The submitted documents included the notice convening the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting dated November 7, 2024, the minutes of the NEC meeting held on November 11, 2024, an extract of the resolution of the NEC meeting held on November 11, 2024, a signed list of attendees of the NEC meeting held on November 11, 2024, and statutory Form PP7 on change of party officials.
“Upon review of the submitted documents, this Office confirms that the process of appointment of Kithure Kindiki, as the Deputy Party Leader, was conducted in line with the party constitution.”
The ORPP stated that it initiated the process of gazetting the change of the official.
Resignation from a political party
According to the Political Parties Act, a member of a political party who intends to resign must provide written notice to the political party, the Clerk of the relevant House of Parliament (if a Member of Parliament), or the Clerk of a County Assembly (if a member of a County Assembly).
Resignation documents submitted to the Registrar should include a copy of the resignation letter received and stamped by the political party, and the National ID or valid Passport used for voter registration.
The resignation takes effect upon receipt of such notice by the political party or Clerk of the relevant House or county assembly.
The political party, the member, or the clerk of the relevant House of Parliament or County Assembly must notify the Registrar of the resignation within seven days.
Upon receiving the notification, the Registrar will remove the member’s name from the political party’s membership list.
Gachagua’s sentiments
Earlier in the day, Gachagua claimed that he no longer shared the ideals of the ruling party, accusing it of abandoning its campaign promises and failing to uplift sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, MSMEs, housing, and the digital economy.
In his resignation letter, Gachagua stated, “By a copy of this letter, you are notified that I have officially resigned from the UDA Party with immediate effect. I have made this decision in knowledge of the ideals of the Party we believed in, and so were millions of Kenyans, but now has turned out as the most dangerous political moment for the people and the Republic of Kenya in the retrogressive philosophy of an unfit class to govern our Nation.” Gachagua asserted that the party had squandered a crucial opportunity for Kenya to achieve economic, social, and political progress.
