Disquiet in UDA over claims some aspirants favoured in primaries

As has been the case in past editions, party primaries have got off on the wrong foot.

William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is already feeling the heat, with just eight days to its nominations slated for April 14. The exercise is expected to cost Sh500 million.

For a party that is barely a year old, it maintains that it has attracted more than 6,000 aspirants, but the uphill task will be subjecting them to the same nomination procedure.

There is already disquiet over alleged favouritism of some candidates by the party’s top brass. Other complaints are that names of aspirants are missing from the party membership list and alleged external interference on polling day.

These allegations have constantly put the DP on the defensive, insisting that he will personally ensure credible party primaries.

And to avert fallout before and after the nominations, UDA has today called for a meeting of aspirants in all counties apart from those in North-Eastern and sections of Nyanza.

According to a notice by UDA National Election Board Chairperson Anthony Mwaura, aspirants from 34 counties will meet with IEBC county returning officers at the respective tallying centres from 9am.

“The county returning officers will brief the participating aspirants on the upcoming party nominations,” read the notice.

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua allayed fears of shambolic party primaries. Speaking on KTN yesterday, Mr Gachagua said the party was putting in place structures to ensure ballot papers arrive on time, names of members are in the party register and aspirants sensitised.

“Holding primaries in one day is a logistical challenge but Ruto is a seasoned politician aware of the challenges expected. Ruto is currently putting in place serious mechanisms to ensure that we have free and fair elections. We understand the importance of fair nominations ” he said.

ODM party is also facing challenges in its nominations which commenced on April 1 and will end on April 19. The party postponed primaries in Nakuru, Mombasa and Kilifi to allow for “consensus-building” among candidates.

The Orange party’s decision to use digital voting and issue direct tickets to some candidates has kicked up a storm. ODM is already reeling from a fallout in Homa Bay after former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero announced that he will vie as an independent candidate after being edged out of the nominations. The party issued a direct ticket to Woman Rep Gladys Wanga.

In Kisii, ODM aspirants, through a petition sent to newsrooms yesterday, are calling for the party’s top brass to use opinion polls and issue direct certificates to deserving aspirants. Where there are no clear front-runners, they want the nominations slated for tomorrow postponed to give aspirants ample time to prepare for.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo assured that the party was dealing with the issues raised by members about the primaries and defended the move by ODM to stagger the primaries, saying it was aimed at ensuring a free and fair exercise.

“It is not practical for parties such as UDA to conduct primaries in one day but if you want to manipulate those primaries that is what you do. The last time Jubilee tried that in 2017, it failed,” said the MP.

“We are the only people who are going out to ensure that democracy is followed irrespective of the method that we use to pick candidates. When you want credible party primaries look to ODM,” he added.

On the other hand Wiper leader Kalonzo is walking a tight rope to pick the right candidates and avert fallout after nominations.

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot (UDA) faulted the Registrar of Political Parties for not operationalising the political parties fund, saying it would have ensured parties conduct credible primaries.

“The elephant in the room is which party list to use. Some people are not registered as party members for one reason or the other, but they still feel they need to participate in the primaries of that party and this could be a concern,” he said.