Resident Petition Nyeri County Assembly Over Use Of UDA Colours In The Premises
By MKT Reporter
Worth Noting:
- While justifying the legal basis of the petition, Wachira says the UDA colours are used to present a political ideology, movement of party either officially or unofficially and that they represent the intersection of colour symbolism and political symbolism.
- While calling for urgent removal of the colours, Wachira states that UDA party colors in the Assembly offend the spirit of the Nyeri people and also the spirit of the Constitution contained in the preamble, respectful of the environment which is our heritage, and determined to sustain it for the benefit of future generations.
- He adds that the legacy of our Nyeri people should never be politicized and the colours should be removed or changed to portray the interest of our county.
A Nyeri County resident has petitioned the area County Assembly Over use of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) political party colours at its premises.
David Theuri Wachira says the County Assembly’s move of painting its entrance with UDA colours violates national values, cultural heritage and beliefs.
Wachira want the Assembly leadership to urgently remove or change the colours, failure to which legal action will be taken against them.
In the petition that was filed on Friday, Wachira, a graduate of Zetech University and a resident of Thunguma area which is situated less than two kilometres from the Assembly premises at Ruring’u Estate says he was prompted to file the petition as a matter of public interest and matter of urgency and hoped those concerned would act upon it with utmost attention.
He says the painting of political party colours at the entrance of public utility contravenes the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 by violating Articles 10, 32 & 38.
He notes that Kenya is a multiparty nation and Nyeri County Assembly is not an affiliate to the UDA party.
While justifying the legal basis of the petition, Wachira says the UDA colours are used to present a political ideology, movement of party either officially or unofficially and that they represent the intersection of colour symbolism and political symbolism.
While calling for urgent removal of the colours, Wachira states that UDA party colors in the Assembly offend the spirit of the Nyeri people and also the spirit of the Constitution contained in the preamble, respectful of the environment which is our heritage, and determined to sustain it for the benefit of future generations.
He adds that the legacy of our Nyeri people should never be politicized and the colours should be removed or changed to portray the interest of our county.
The petitioner says the petition is urgent due to among other reasons;
Violation of Article 10 on National Values and Principles of Governance where the colour presence undermines other members of different political parties in the County and the Nyeri Assembly is not an official office of the UDA Party.
Wachira accuses the Speaker of the Assembly Gichuhi Mwangi and the Legal Department of failing to uphold the spirit of the Nyeri people in allowing the UDA colour at the entrance of the Assembly.
“I understand and believe that most of the members of the Nyeri County Assembly were elected by UDA party Ticket, but that doesn’t mean that the Nyeri County Assembly is a UDA asset,” part of the petition says, with a rider that he was prevailed upon to step down from contesting a ward position by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
He also notes that the issue of the colour has never been raised anywhere else saying, “Since the Honorable County Assembly Members of Nyeri county did not make any attempt to question or bring to the Speakers attention over this matter, I assure you that this matter is not pending before any court of law, or constitutional or legal body”.
He concludes by stating, “If my plea is not adhered to remove or change these colours in the entrance of Nyeri County Assembly immediately, I will pursue all available legal and administrative remedies against you. If I do not hear from you within 14 days. I shall take necessary action at your own risk as to costs and consequences,”.
The petition was also filed in the office of area governor Dr Mutahi Kahiga, Leader of Majority in the Assembly James Kanyugo and former Speaker of the Assembly who is the current Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia.
The move was welcomed by several opinion leaders in the county, led by the chairman of Jeremiah Mugi Foundation James Njuguna Mahuria who said it was very long for the assembly to allow politicization of such a neutral office.
Resident of Ruring’u estate where the premises are, Jane Muthoni, Peter Mwai and Michael Mwangi hailed the initiative of demanding the removal of colours saying UDA was no longer a party of choice for the local people.
At the same time, it emerged that the Nyeri County Assembly has not publicly released a specific policy dedicated solely to honoring heroes and heroines. However, the county has undertaken several initiatives to recognize and celebrate its notable figures:
The issue arose after it emerged that the local county government had partnered with one of Dedan Kimathi’s daughter to organise his 68th memorial ceremony on Tuesday as other siblings are planning a different fete at Kabiru-ini Show grounds.
The county government installed the Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi Monument at Kahigaini, naming the site the ‘Mau Mau Heroes Park’ to honor Mau Mau freedom fighters. This is the place where Ms Evalyne Wanjugu Kimathi has partnered to hold the ceremony to the chagrin of her siblings and other stakeholders.
Some people were of the opinion that the memorial should be arranged in collaboration with Nyandarua County government since the administration has taken significant steps to honor its heroes and heroines as the Nyandarua had developed a
Policy Development that formulated a “County Heroes and Heroines Policy,” which was approved by the cabinet with the area County Assembly approving the “Nyandarua County Heroes and Heroines Policy,” which recognizes and celebrates individuals who have made notable contributions to the county.
