A photo showing security officers at the Hustler Centre on August 2, 2024.  PHOTO/FILE

President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has begun cracking the whip on members allegedly linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).

In the latest move, weeks after initiating the removal of Gloria Orwoba as a nominated senator, UDA’s Disciplinary Committee summoned two nominated members of county assemblies. 

The MCAs from Nyeri and Nairobi counties are being targeted over their alleged involvement with Gachagua and his DCP party.

In a letter dated Friday, June 6, 2025, the committee’s chairperson, Charles Njenga, raised concern over the conduct of Nyeri’s Ann Thumbi and her Nairobi counterpart, Joy Muthoni Mwangi, citing insubordination.

The committee alleges that the two MCAs have been engaging in the political activities of Gachagua’s party, contrary to the UDA constitution and the Political Parties Act, 2011.

Describing their actions as “incitement of party members to leave the UDA party,” Njenga ordered the MCAs to appear before the disciplinary committee on June 20 to respond to the charges.

He outlined the laws allegedly violated and the MCAs’ duties under the Political Parties Act, warning that if found guilty, the two risk suspension, expulsion, or fines.

“The UDA party disciplinary committee receives information and evidence of your activities relevant to party discipline, as provided by law and its constitution, which have been widely circulated in both mainstream and social media, as well as in the public domain,” read the letter.

“Accordingly, and pursuant to Article 29 of the UDA Constitution, you are hereby summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee of the UDA party on 20th June 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at Hustler Plaza for the hearing of this complaint against you. You may appear in person or be represented by your duly appointed advocates.”

The letter added: “Please note that if the committee finds you liable, it shall impose such sanctions as are provided for in the constitution, including suspension, expulsion, fines, etc., and will forward the decision to the National Executive Committee of the party for its concurrence and further action.”

According to the committee, Thumbi and Muthoni are flagged for allegedly actively participating in a DCP rally on May 15, wearing the party’s branded merchandise and publicly endorsing it while encouraging residents to join the political outfit. Thumbi is also reported to have participated in another DCP rally on May 24.

“Evidence of your participation in the political activities of another party—specifically the Democracy for Citizens Party—on 15th May 2025 shows your active association with and participation in that event. Particulars of this conduct are well within your knowledge, including, but not limited to, wearing branded merchandise for the said party,” the letter stated.

“Your (alleged) attendance at a DCP public rally on 24th May 2025, where you endorsed and encouraged members of the public to join that party and leave the UDA party, is further noted.”

Muthoni is additionally noted to have allegedly shared of sharing a message on her Facebook page in support of DCP, where she “clearly and by implication demonstrated your association with and support for the said DCP party, and encouraged members to leave the UDA party.”

“Your actions, as outlined above, amount to incitement of party members to leave the UDA party and total disregard for the party constitution, rules, and code of conduct,” the committee concluded.