A leadership crisis has rocked Thirdway Alliance of Kenya after six-party officials vowed to dethrone their leader over claims of misappropriation of funds and harassment.
Addressing the press in Nairobi on Sunday, March 8, 2020, the six National Executive Council Members led by party secretary-general Fredrick Okango and Deputy Party Leader Angela Mwikali said a snap election is inevitable.
“The party has been plunged into leadership crisis due to poor leadership of Dr. Ekuru Aukot after his illegal and unlawful sacking of party officials. We need leaders of integrity for normalcy to return,” said Okango.
He said elections are usually conducted after five years but the National Executive Council members have resolved to conduct an early election among other issues concerning party affairs.
“We are going to start a national wide recruitment drive which will culminate in an election to have leaders who care about the public and not their selfish interests,” he said.
Okango said the party NEC also wants Aukot to account for millions of shillings he received during the popularisation of Punguza Mizigo one, which was rejected by county assemblies.
“He should account all the funds collected during the drive as per the law. Audited books of accounts must be presented,” he added.
On the Punguza Mizigo II, the NEC members have opposed the initiative asking their party leader to disclose the funders.
“He should publicly disclose to Kenyans and party members the sources of funds he is using for the second initiative since senior party officials have not sighted the funds in party accounts,” he said.
Okango said the NEC has also endorsed that the party supports the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
“We shall be working together with other Kenyans, political parties and leaders to achieve a non-divisive and all-inclusive constitutional amendments process under BBI,” he added.
Aukot’s deputy, Mwikali, said women in Kenya and those in Thirdway Alliance will not be left behind in the national conversation under BBI.
She also accused Aukot of being rude and intimidating women.
“I am a victim of his harassment in a matter that is currently in court. He has not been kind to women leaders in the party,” she said.
