Rogue SGs: Thin line between loose tongues and party positions

Several secretaries general of political parties have usurped the powers of their institutions and become a power unto themselves.

A secretary general is the official spokesperson, conveying the formal stand of a party as directed by its organs, including the National Executive Council, Central Management Committee, or the National Delegates Council (NDC).

But many secretaries general have abandoned this role, opting instead to use their positions to advance personal views. Some of those accused of using their offices as ladders for individual goals include the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA)’s Hassan Omar, Jubilee’s Jeremiah Kioni, and ODM’s Edwin Sifuna.

Hateful responses

On Sunday, Omar, in a disparaging and hateful response, used the UDA party logo and its official social media platforms to personally attack The Standard.

Dr Peter Mbae, a political analyst, argued that Omar’s message was a personal view and not a party position, as it did not reflect the sentiments of the NEC.

“Like many other secretaries general, Omar decided to just wake up and use the political party’s logos and letterheads to spew his bitterness towards a media house because he was not happy with the headline or a story. This clearly shows that he doesn’t understand the structure of a political party in Kenya,” Mbae noted.

He said Omar, being only a nominated MP, felt indebted for the position and therefore misused his office to show loyalty to his boss by using derogatory words against the government’s perceived rivals rather than adhering to party structures.

Kioni’s claim that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was secretly working with President William Ruto has also raised concerns over whether this reflects the official position of Jubilee and its leader, former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

In an interview with Spice FM, Kioni alleged that Gachagua informed DCP aspirants in Narok that he had entered into a pact with Ruto and agreed on which candidate to back for Narok Town Ward.

“Our informants disclosed that Gachagua told his aspirants that the President had already sent emissaries and they had an arrangement to put their houses in order and then have a discussion. We wish to work with like-minded political parties that will involve everyone but not those that intend to enter into shoddy deals with the government,” Kioni said.

His remarks sparked criticism within the Opposition, with leaders demanding clarity on whether the Secretary General or the party leader is the official spokesperson, to avoid contradictory messaging.

Confusion

Mbae admitted that Kioni’s comments created confusion, with some leaders questioning whether Jubilee had decided to break ranks with the Opposition.

“It’s unfortunate that some leaders have decided to fight their personal battles and to antagonise other parties within the same coalition. A Secretary General should be a sober leader and not a person who uses his position to cause confusion even to his party members,” he said.

Herman Manyora, another political analyst, said that while a Secretary General’s remarks should be taken as the official party position, many had veered off and often contradicted party leaders.

“Members need to understand when the spokespersons of the party speak on their own behalf and when they are delivering the decision of the party leader, of the party organs and the party members. They should be careful on what they say in public as it may put them in a very precarious situation,” Manyora added.

Sifuna has been accused of misrepresenting ODM’s stance on the deal between Ruto and Raila, casting doubt on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that birthed the Broad-Based Government (BBG) framework.

After Sifuna declared the deal dead, ODM leaders including National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed and ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga dismissed him and threatened to oust him if he defied party lines.

“Only Baba (Raila) can speak for ODM at that level. If he hasn’t declared the deal dead, then it is very much alive. This broad-based government initiative is meant to ensure resources trickle down to our people. Outside of the BBG framework there’s only chaos and anarchy. We are not fools. We know what we’re doing,” Junet said.

Wanga added: “Our party leader is Raila Odinga. When he says left, we go left. There is not a single day we have abandoned the MoU. Those saying otherwise are not speaking on behalf of ODM. We are fully supporting the President in delivering development.”

Mass walkout

In July, Sifuna, alongside Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, threatened to lead a mass walkout from ODM should the party support Ruto’s re-election bid.

“I will read all resolutions made by ODM’s organs, except one… the one where they might decide that the ODM party will support Ruto in 2027. That one, I want to say before you and before God, I will not read it,” Sifuna said.

DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala also drew fire last month after disagreeing with his leader over the nomination of Mukhisa Kituyi as United Opposition spokesperson, arguing that the coalition needed fresh energy and forward-thinking leadership.

“The United Opposition must embrace youthful, dynamic leadership to move the country forward. Unfortunately, Kituyi does not represent that vision,” Malala said.

He later retracted his remarks after Gachagua intervened, clarifying that he had spoken in a personal capacity.

“We had a slight problem when the Opposition selected Kituyi. I had said no, but Gachagua intervened and convinced me to reconsider my stand,” he said.

Gachagua insisted the party needed to balance youthful leadership with experience, saying Kituyi fit the bill.

“Malala is a very capable young leader, but he misunderstood our intentions. We chose Kituyi to lead the secretariat because while we have plenty of Gen Z and Millennial leaders, they still need mentorship and direction,” Gachagua explained.

Nominated MP Sabina Chege told The Standard that a Secretary General should not hold active political office, arguing the role should mirror that of a government spokesperson to avoid misuse of the position.

“It is my view that Secretaries General should not occupy other elective positions. They should only communicate the decisions reached out by the party organs. Most of them are conflicted on certain issues and when they speak, their remarks are mistaken to be those of their political parties,” she said.

Additionally, Charles Munyui, a political analyst, argued that political parties lacked discipline and clear boundaries to prevent Secretaries General from overstepping when expressing personal views.

“Unless it is a choreographed strategy between the party leaders and the Secretary Generals, then there is a clear disconnect and confusion within our political party structures,” he said.