UDM candidate to be picked by vote

By Philip Mwakio

Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo has said United Democratic Movement (UDM) party will conduct national elections to pick its presidential flag bearer by February next year.

Speaking in Mombasa at the weekend after attending a church service, Mr Jirongo said his party, Kadu, was a corporate member of UDM and would participate in its affairs.

"As things stand now, we are three individuals keen on using UDM party ticket to contest for the presidency," he said.

The other two who declared their presidential ambitions are Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Matuga MP Chirau Ali Mwakwere.

"We shall have our national elections under the UDM umbrella in January before we conduct those for our presidential candidates," he said.

Jirongo, who was accompanied by former Cabinet minister Moses Akaranga and Immigration Assistant Minister Francis Baya for a service at Pentecostal Assembly of God, Changamwe, announced that he will launch his presidential bid in Mbale township on July 30.

"I am not the best from where I come from, but I checked around and know that if I do not offer myself for the top seat, none from my region will try to do so," he said. He admitted that the two most predominant political parties remain ODM and PNU.

"But these two face their own challenges. We are consolidating our positions within the larger UDM to ensure that the leader we present is capable of winning the presidency," he said.

On his part, Mr Baya told the electorates not to underestimate the strength of leaders from minority groups.