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UDF leadership circus as chairman rejects ouster

Parliamentary Group Chief Whip Roba Duba indicated that Osman sabotaged decisions of the National Executive Committee (NEC) despite chairing and participating in its meetings/FILE

Parliamentary Group Chief Whip Roba Duba indicated that Osman sabotaged decisions of the National Executive Committee (NEC) despite chairing and participating in its meetings/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 17 – The United Democratic Front has removed Hassan Osman as the party chairman due to what it terms as gross misconduct and abusive speech.

Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, the party’s Parliamentary Group Chief Whip Roba Duba indicated that Osman sabotaged decisions of the National Executive Committee (NEC) despite chairing and participating in its meetings.

He pointed out that he had gone against NEC approvals by refusing to sign minutes without cause and this has delayed the implementation of party resolutions and stalled programmes.

“He has been dethroned on account of dishonesty and his allegiance lying elsewhere. We appreciate that the new national leadership now represents the face of Kenya. The Parliamentary Group has always been very patient and prodded NEC to take action, but there is a limit to our patience,” he stated.

But in a rejoinder, Osman termed the move as a witch-hunt targeting a section of the party leadership which had opposed the withdrawal from a post-election coalition agreement with the ruling Jubilee Alliance.

“Some members hatched a plot to change the name of the party from UDF to Amani National Congress during a party meeting held last month and in the resolutions they also wanted to us to withdraw our support for the government and they brought to me to approved but with the support of some NEC members. I refused and told them to follow the party constitution. That’s why you are seeing this political circus,” Osman said.

The Nominated MP told Capital FM News that prior to Wednesday’s PG meeting they had already written to Registrar of Political Parties alerting her against recognising the outcome of the meeting which was irregularly convened.

Duba earlier stressed that Osman had blatantly undermined NEC meetings and confidence of members in the Party Leader through disinformation and outright lies.

“The Parliamentary Group has lost confidence and support long time ago with the chair. After being nominated on the strength of our being elected, he has chosen to abuse the privilege by insulting UDF members. He referred to them as busy bodies, masquerading around having no direction,” he said.

He described these as deliberate acts of insubordination, untrustworthy and disrespectful conduct to undermine and impair the NEC, Party Leader and membership and that it was in breach of rights and duties of members in Article 6; and abuse of office in the Chairman’s responsibilities provided in Article 10.4.

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“We would like to thank the Party NEC for acting expeditiously on our petition against Hon Hassan Osman, nominated UDF MP. We appreciate that the new national leadership now represents the face of Kenya. In our petition we stated that Hassan Osman has turned rogue; Mr Hassan Osman had lost our confidence and support long time ago but we held our horses hoping he would reform his wayward ways of undermining the party,” he said.

The party members stressed the need for him to account for the Sh13.5 million nomination fees in the past election.

“We ask the party to get to the bottom of this and ensure there is accountability and transparency. We know he has godfathers who have been funding his sabotage activities like bribing NEC members to skip meetings. We send warning to them; toe the party line or quit. We now want the party rebranding that Hassan has attempted to block to kick off in earnest. We restate that,” he said.

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