In a renewed effort aimed at avoiding confusion during the nomination period, Deputy President William Ruto’s party has granted some of its loyalist’s direct tickets to contest in the upcoming elections.
Last week, the United Democratic Alliance, a party heavily linked to William Ruto held a meeting with various aspirants where it pushed for consensus and dialogue between aspirants.
“On 26 February 2022, our party leader William Ruto vouched for consensus and dialogue between aspirants vying for the same position to avoid confusion during UDA party primaries,” the party said in a statement seen by Kivumbi.co.ke.
The party’s National Elections Board (NEC) later issued direct tickets with the majority of the beneficiaries being from the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.
Some of those who were granted direct tickets ahead of the April deadline include Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga who recently ditched President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party for UDA.
Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Omar who is seeking to succeed retiring Governor Hassan Joho in the August 9, General Election was also granted a direct ticket.
Keroche Breweries CEO Tabitha Karanja who will be vying for the Nakuru Senatorial seat, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, and Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki have also been beneficiaries of the move.
Others include Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa who has expressed her interests in Kilifi gubernatorial seat, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, his Kikuyu counterpart Kimani Inchung’wah as well as UDA chairman Johnson Muthama.
This comes barely two weeks after the party assured aspirants that it will conduct free and fair nominations.
UDA National Election Board Chair Antony Mwaura said that the UDA party will hire international observers in a move that aims at ensuring transparency during the nominations.
“We want to assure all the aspirants that these elections will be free, fair, and verifiable and we are going to maintain the highest level of nationalism,” he said.
