Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and interim Deputy Party leader Cleophas Malala pose for a photograph after unveiling their new political outfit, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) in Lavington, Nairobi on May 15, 2025.
The swift expulsion of Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba and the subsequent declaration of her seat as vacant through a gazette notice has sent panic among MPs and MCAs allied to the impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The National Executive Committee (Nec) of President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has since instructed its officials to monitor and document public utterances by “rebel” members for possible disciplinary action, the Nation has learnt.
UDA is said to be keen on first targeting nominated members since their replacement would not require a by-election.
For elected legislators, the party believes that initiating their removal would offer a necessary distraction by keeping them busy in court corridors.
Ultimately, the party hopes to fast-track the processes through the system and avoid pitfalls faced by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga, both of whom previously attempted to expel errant members but failed to complete the process.
But it is not just the threat of expulsion or de-whipping in committees.
Allies of the former DP told the Sunday Nation of cases of intimidation from investigative agencies, withdrawal of security, denial of access to venues and meetings, political rally permit refusals, threats of arrest, anti-corruption cases, and a carrot-and-stick approach involving offers of money in exchange for cooperation.
Coalition talks
Ms Orwoba on Wednesday got a reprieve after the High Court stopped her removal pending the determination of her case against the UDA disciplinary committee and the Registrar of Political Parties. Ms Orwoba has in recent weeks declared her support for former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who is among those involved in coalition talks with Mr Gachagua.
Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba.
However, the court order came late in the day, after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi had ratified her expulsion and declared her seat vacant.
“While legal processes are lengthy and winding, we will not tire of doing what is right. We will not look back in ensuring there is discipline in the party,” said UDA National Organising Secretary Vincent Musau.
Mr Musau is a member of the UDA National Executive Council, which ratified the expulsion of the nominated senator.
The Mwala MP noted that the party had acted with restraint - a scenario which, he said, may have emboldened some rebel members to continue defying the party.
“We are dealing with cases individually. We will not have problems with our members attending public rallies with members of rival parties, so long as they do not challenge the UDA manifesto and position. It is not about making appearances at public events, but openly challenging the official position taken by the party,” he said.
He revealed that Nec had discussed possible disciplinary action against other members, including elected MPs, who have publicly defied the party position.
“There is no official complaint against any other member, but as a party, we are observing what they say out there,” he added.
The development has since instilled fear within Mr Gachagua’s team, given the ruthless manner in which rebels within the UDA party have been dealt with. Mr Gachagua himself is a casualty of Dr Ruto’s crackdown, having been impeached as the country’s second-in-command in October.
Several of his allies in both the Senate and the National Assembly were also kicked out of committee leadership in a purge targeting lawmakers who defied the party position and voted for Mr Gachagua’s impeachment.
UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala, DP Rigathi Gachagua and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who chaired the powerful Budget and Appropriations Committee; Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu; his Kiambu counterpart Karungo Thang’wa; and Kirinyaga’s James Murango were all removed from committee leadership.
Others included Embakasi North’s James Gakuya, who chaired the Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Committee; Runyenjes’ Eric Karemba, who led the Labour Committee; and Kipipiri’s Wanjiku Muhia, who chaired the Regional Integration Committee.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba was also moved from the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC), where she was chairperson, to become a member of the Facilities and Services Committee.
Expulsion
Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, an ally of Mr Gachagua, told the Nation that the team was aware of the possibility of removal from the party - and attempts at expulsion - but suggested they were ready to fight it out.
“The elected and nominated members supporting Gachagua and the DCP party are aware of all the political machinations being used and that could be applied to punish them for standing with Gachagua and the DCP party,” he said.
He claimed a major political crackdown was being waged through the withdrawal of security, denial of development projects in their constituencies, and harassment by state agencies such as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
“But they are ready to endure and pay the price to make sure Ruto is a one-term President. They are ready to go for elections if need be under the DCP party, if UDA withdraws their sponsorship. It will be a rehearsal for the 2027 General Elections. In fact, after the launch of the DCP party and reconstitution of IEBC, we have a number of MPs, Senators, and MCAs from UDA ready to resign and go for by-elections,” said Mr Muriu.
But even as the MP expressed confidence in their willingness to seek a fresh mandate, they have since taken cautionary measures to avoid falling victim to Dr Ruto’s crackdown.
During the unveiling of DCP, some of the UDA elected leaders who attended the event deliberately avoided donning the new party colours in an attempt to avoid being punished for promoting the ideologies of a rival party.
Resigning or losing an elective seat to face the electorate afresh carries the risk of losing the position less than three years into a five-year term. Such an election would also mean leaders must dig deep into their pockets to finance the campaigns.
On Saturday, DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala’s planned rally in Kakamega was disrupted and stopped by police using teargas and rubber bullets. Mr Malala and senators John Methu (Nyandarua) and Kiambu’s Karungo Thang’wa were forced to address the scattered crowd in brief stopovers.
Democracy for the Citizens Party deputy leader Cleophas Malala addresses party supporters in Kakamega town on May 24, 2025.
Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Mwangi, alias Mejja Donk, another ally of Mr Gachagua, claimed that UDA has resorted to intimidating nominated members.
He said some of the nominated members had been forced to attend meetings convened by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
“They can’t talk about uniting Kenyans through the broad-based government while, on the other side, they are punishing others for associating with certain leaders. Nominated leaders are scared, but it is just a matter of time before more leaders openly decamp,” said the MP.
He added: “We have so many leaders, both elected and nominated, who cannot show up for our meetings, but they are sending messages saying ‘we are together’.”
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara on Friday protested the alleged withdrawal of her security for supporting Mr Gachagua. She criticised President Ruto for using the security agency to manage politics.
“I feel very vulnerable now. I feel so naked. I am a very small person to be fought with such a big punch, and I think it is not fair. Please, let me live, because when you remove my bodyguard, it means you want to harm me,” said MP Kihara.
In the past, expelled members have exploited the long and winding appeal mechanism to remain in Parliament.
Mr Odinga’s ODM, the Jubilee Party of Uhuru Kenyatta, and the now-defunct Amani National Congress led by Mr Musalia Mudavadi have previously failed to kick out rebel lawmakers.
In September 2023, ODM sought to expel MPs Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Phelix Odiwuor (Lang’ata), and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda for supporting UDA. Their removal stalled after they obtained a court order.
In February 2021, Jubilee expelled nominated senators Isaac Mwaura, Mary Seneta, Falhada Dekow Iman, Naomi Jillo Waqo, Victor Prengei, and Millicent Omanga - perceived allies of then DP Ruto.
The decision by the faction led by President Uhuru Kenyatta was challenged in court, allowing the senators to continue serving until the end of their terms.
First, the six senators went to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT), which stayed their removal. The matter then moved to the High Court and dragged on until their terms ended.
Similarly, previous attempts by ODM and ANC to expel members failed, highlighting a legal framework that makes it nearly impossible to eject a member from a party.
Attempts by Mr Odinga in 2019 to expel then Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa were thwarted by the PPDT. She served until the end of her term, despite supporting President Ruto’s campaign in the lead-up to the 2022 elections.
In 2017, ODM successfully expelled then governors Ukur Yatani (Marsabit), Salim Mvurya (Kwale), Deputy Governor Joash Maangi (Kisii), MPs Steven Kariuki (Mathare), Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi North), Mustafa Iddi (Kilifi South), Cyprian Kubai (Igembe Central), and James Rege (Karachuonyo) for backing Mr Kenyatta’s re-election.
Others included Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West), John Waluke (Sirisia), nominated MP Mwaura, and Kwale County Woman Representative Zainabu Chidzuga.
However, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) could not call for by-elections since the 2017 General Election was only a few months away. The law bars IEBC from holding by-elections within 90 days of a General Election.
In 2019, Mr Mudavadi’s attempt to expel ANC-nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi (now Vihiga Senator) also failed after the court ruled in his favour.
In a previous interview, Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu said the lengthy process is intended to ensure fairness to both political parties and errant members.
