UDA YASAMBARATIKA

A row has erupted within the Jubilee faction allied to Deputy President William Ruto, commonly known as Tanga Tanga, whose members are now feuding  over  the date for United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party elections.

Ruto, who is associated with UDA, wanted elections held in September while Tanga Tanga members insist the elections should be delayed until a later date to be agreed upon by all stakeholders.

They argue that they need more time to prepare for the party polls.

“We have not agreed on the date of the party elections. However, I am  certain we will announce it soon,” Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali said.

Elections will empower UDA to pick party officials from the grassroots to the national level, who will manage hustler activities in counties.

“The grassroots party elections were supposed to be held in August but have been postponed until September and I see them being postponed again. 

Leaders also declined the proposal when they met the DP in his Karen residence during the hustler nation Parliamentary Group meeting,” an MP who attended disclosed.

Strong team

Ruto was pushing for the election to be held earlier so that he can have a strong team to hit the campaigns.

Speaking to People Daily, Washiali said the officials would assume office on time to ensure the party prepares well for  next year’s General Election.

UDA Secretary General  Veronica Maina downplayed the disagreements, saying the party will hold the election after Covid-19 situation has been contained.

“We are on course and we will soon have the elections as part of the plans to ensure all party organs are in place,” Maina said.

“We will release the plan and other details to the members very soon. The positions to be contested are at the county, sub-county and ward level,” she added.

Washiali further said the party national election board is already in place for the polls.

“We are prepared for party elections and hope we will hold them around October,” Washiali said.

Soy MP Caleb Kositany said Maina was in charge of the process. He also said the elections will be held under the UDA Constitution.

By People Daily