DP Ruto's UDA party sets nominations date
Hustler Center, the UDA headquarters in Nairobi.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) will conduct countrywide nominations on April 14, the party's National Elections Board has said.
In a statement issued Friday, the Deputy President William Ruto-led outfit said the nominations will be held in all wards, constituencies and counties.
"The party reiterates its commitment to render free, fair, verifiable and democratic party primaries. Aspirants are encouraged to continue preparing and popularising their bid," a statement signed by Mr Anthony Mwaura, UDA's National Elections Board chair, said, setting the stage for an epic battle for aspirants eyeing the party’s ticket.
Mr Mwaura told reporters that UDA has put in place the necessary machinery, including inviting international observers, to ensure the exercise goes on smoothly. The party says 6,000 aspirants have sought its ticket for various posts.
Although the law allows parties to hand direct tickets through the delegates system, UDA ruled out this route, saying every position will be competitive.
“So long as there are two aspirants, we will conduct nominations in that particular area,” he said.
Although Mr Mwaura encouraged aspirants to get into consensus, he pointed out that in such instances, aspirants will be required to sign an agreement form to be approved by the party.
He also issued a stern warning to aspirants that anyone who will cause mayhem and any form of violence to disrupt the exercise will be immediately disqualified from the nominations. Aspirants who mete out any form of violence to journalists will also be disqualified.
According to the timelines provided by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), all primaries are to end by April 22. The Political Parties Act requires the Registrar of Political Parties to issue a party with a certified copy of the register of its members within seven days after it has been notified by the party of its planned primaries. Parties should ensure the register is accessible to members.
'Deep state'
Mr Mwaura, however, said their party membership list will remain a secret for now to avoid ‘deep state’ interference.
“We are guarding our list to avoid deep state from interfering with it. We are avoiding situations where one thinks he is in the list then on nomination day, his name is missing,” Mr Mwaura said.
