Wamalwa accuses President Ruto of plot to infiltrate DAP-K party

The Democratic Action Party Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa now says there is a plan by President William Ruto to infiltrate the political outfit through frivolous petitions seeking a change in leadership. 

Addressing the press on Tuesday after the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, Wamalwa warned the President against the move, saying the party is intact and unbreakable.

He accused Ruto of thwarting democratic space in the country, with a focus on parties that are likely to pose political threats to his presidential bid in 2027.

He acknowledged that the party resolved to form a tribunal that would review the petitions touching on party leadership to unlock the ongoing internal dispute and issue its findings in 30 days.

“Many expected us to fight today, but the tribunal will have 30 days to handle all issues. Instead of fighting in the boardroom, we are now heading to fight for the by-election seats. I want to tell the broad-based government that the onslaught will start with the Malava by-election," Wamalwa remarked.

"We want to tell President William Ruto: if you think you will infiltrate this party the way you did to Jubilee, that will not happen to DAP–K. We know ANC is gone, and Ford–Kenya and ODM are in your pocket. We will not allow you to kill this party.”

Further, the party leader noted that the party leadership would accept the outcome of the tribunal's decision to ensure the success and longevity of the party come 2027. 

“We know how Ruto is undermining parties to bring them under his control, similar to what happened to the Jubilee Party for three years. Ruto will not succeed, but we are aware of the level of infiltration he has orchestrated in our party," he noted.

"If the committee suggests, as per the petitions filed, that either I or Natembeya should leave or take over the leadership of the party, we will accept the committee’s report — but the party will not be destroyed.”

The NEC meeting was attended by deputy party leaders George Natembeya, Wafula Wamunyinyi and Ayub Savula, as wellas Secretary General Eseli Simuyu.

On his side, Natembeya, who has been on the receiving end after a section of the party's top brass led by Wamalwa accused him of attempting to orchestrate a coup, reiterated the need for the party to embrace internal democracy.

“Leo tumekuwa na NEC, and we have appointed a team of nine to handle all party issues and bring a report within 30 days. We want to clean our house as we prepare to take the leadership of this country, and we have agreed we must have internal democracy. We don’t just want to replace Ruto and his government, we have a bigger vision of transparent governance," Natembeya pointed out. 

In the past week, reports of growing division in DAP-K emerged, with claims of two rival factions emanating within the party.

Governor Natembeya is said to be leading the liberal faction that seeks to rebrand the party to have a national appeal, while Wamalwa is reportedly leading the Conservative wing that seeks to maintain the party's current structure. 

The party leadership has, however, vowed to solve all disputes democratically through the tribunal.