Alfred Mutua’s fate hangs in balance as Wiper convenes emergency meeting

The Wiper Democratic Movement has convened an emergency meeting to discuss the fate of Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua after he officially launched his Maendeleo Chap Chap Movement movement on Saturday.

Though Mutua has not overtly declared that Maendeleo Chap Chap Movement was a political party, Wiper seems to have read mischief in the move with the meeting, slated for January 16, set to discuss whether to suspend or expel him from the party.

Governor Mutua won the Machakos Gubernatorial seat in March 2013 on the Wiper Democratic Movement, an affiliate of Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), beating Wavinya Ndeti of Chama Cha Uzalendo.

Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka has stated that if it is established that Mutua has left the party, in favour of Maendeleo Chap Chap, then they will have to expel him and pave way for a by-election.

“On the 16^th of this month, Wiper Democratic Movement leadership will hold a meeting in Machakos where the issue of Alfred Mutua and his movement will be discussed.  If indeed the governor has left Wiper then the best thing would be to go for a by-election,” he said.

According to the Political Parties Act 2011 Section 14 (4): “A person shall not be a member of more than one political party at the same time.”

The Act further states that a person who, while being a member of a political party, forms another party, joins in the formation of another party, joins another party, publicly advocates for the formation of another party or promotes the ideology, interest or policies of another party shall be deemed to have resigned from the previous political party.

In case it will be proven that Mutua’s movement has been registered as a political party, Wiper will be prompted to expel him from the party and therefore necessitate a by-election.

“A member of a political party may be expelled from that party if the member has infringed the Constitution of the party and after the member has been afforded a fair opportunity to be heard in accordance with the international party disputes resolution mechanisms as prescribed in the Constitution of the party,” reads the Act in part.

Several other Wiper leaders have criticised Alfred Mutua’s move to launch the new movement saying he should instead focus on development.

According to Machakos Women Representative Susan Musyoka: “We elected him (Mutua) on a Wiper ticket and if he has decided to change parties he has to go back to the electorate and seek fresh mandate.”

“We know that the governor has been trying to avoid the case that is before court over the irregular purchase of county vehicles and the new movement could be a political ploy to serve as a distraction.”

Ndalani MCA Stephen Muthuka stated that: “It is evident that we have carried on with political gimmick from last year into the new year instead of focusing on development.”

“The money that was used in the launch could have been diverted to important projects like improving infrastructure network, providing water for residents and setting up better health facilities.”

By @benjaminwafula