Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya/FILEA member of the United Democratic Party (UDP) has written to the party seeking clarification over reports of possible changes to its officials and leadership.
In the letter, Calystus Wafula said the clarification should include speculation linking Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya to the alleged plans.
Through his lawyers, Kay Adama and Co. Advocates, he has asked the UDP secretary to confirm in writing whether there is any proposal, agreement or arrangement to alter the party's current leadership.
The move comes amid speculation over the political vehicle that could be used by Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi movement ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Natembeya emerging as one of the leaders associated with efforts to build a new political formation.
In the letter, the lawyers said Wafula is a registered and active member of UDP and had previously raised the matter directly with the party's secretary general during a meeting at Capital Center along Mombasa Road.
According to the lawyers, Wafula asked whether reports that the party's leadership was being changed were true and whether the alleged changes involved Sifuna, Natembeya and other individuals.
The lawyers claimed the secretary general categorically denied the reports.
“Our client asserts that you stated categorically that there was nothing of the kind,” the firm said.
The lawyers further said that when Sifuna's name was specifically raised, the secretary general denied having any engagement with the Nairobi senator.
“In particular, when the issue concerning Edwin Sifuna was raised, our client avers that you refuted the claim and assured him that no engagement whatsoever happened between yourself and Edwin Sifuna,” the lawyers said.
However, Wafula now wants the party to put its position in writing, arguing that reports of a possible leadership change have continued despite the assurances.
The lawyers said their client was not opposed to legitimate changes within the party but wanted any such process to comply with the party's constitution and applicable rules.
“For avoidance of doubt, our client is not opposed to any lawful change of Party officials. His major and only concern is that any such change must be transparent, properly authorised and undertaken through the constitutional process applicable to the Party,” the firm said.
Wafula has asked UDP to disclose whether any individual has been proposed, nominated, selected or otherwise identified to replace any of the current party officials.
He also wants the party to state whether any meetings or discussions involving its officials and leadership have taken place concerning possible changes.
The member further wants clarification on whether any such discussions have involved Sifuna, Natembeya or any other individual.
The letter also asks whether UDP has submitted, or intends to submit, notification to the Registrar of Political Parties concerning changes to its officials.
Should a leadership change be under consideration, Wafula wants the party to confirm whether it will follow the procedure prescribed by its constitution and rules, including any required election, nomination, appointment or resolution.
The lawyers said the written clarification was necessary to end speculation within the party.
“Given the assurances previously given to our client, we consider it important that the present position of the Party be placed beyond speculation and clearly communicated to its members,” the firm said.
The lawyers have given UDP three days to respond, saying an expeditious response would help “avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings”.
Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement has faced hurdles in its efforts to secure the name with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), adding uncertainty over the political vehicle he will use ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The name reservation process has been contested, with the registrar raising objections over its similarity to an existing political party name and slogan.
