Politicians allied to William Ruto downplayed the heavy defeat their party suffered in the Machakos by-election where Kalonzo Musyoka’s party won by a landslide on March 18.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, and nominated Nairobi senator Millicent Omanga insisted United Democratic Alliance(UDA) has a bright future despite the heavy loss.
The trio congratulated their candidate Urbunus Ngengele who garnered about 19,726 votes against 104,352 votes garnered by Agnes Kavindu, the winner.
“In Machakos county, Kabuchai constituency, Msambweni constituency, and Nakuru (London ward) UDA, a new party, has demonstrated its credentials as a national party with no tribal/regional boundaries. Congratulations to (Johnstone) Muthama, MPs Munyaka Kawaya, Mbai, and team for the great work in Masaku (Machakos),
“Let’s keep making our democracy stronger,” Said Murkoment in a social media post hours after the final results were declared.
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has been heavily linked to Deputy President William Ruto who has fallen out with top leadership in his party Jubilee and it appears he will use UDA to vie for the presidency in the 2022 General Election.
The election, like many by-elections, was viewed as a litmus test for UDA’s popularity ahead of next year’s election.
It was also viewed as a litmus test for Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka in Ukambani where he is considered the regional kingpin.
Critics have questioned the new party’s popularity based on the huge numbers William Ruto gathers in his many political rallies across the country and which fail to translate to votes when it matters the most.
But to UDA’s die-hards like Kericho Senator Cheruiyot, the party is causing waves across the country and not confining itself to certain regions.
“U. D. A. Raiding people’s bedroom’s since 2020. Sometimes we just make out. Sometimes we go all the way. Both have a good feel… Woke up to Jah Cure’s ‘Respect the hustlers in the streets’,” he said in a tweet.
The party has since withdrawn from the upcoming Juja constituency by-election but has fielded a candidate for the upcoming Bonchari constituency by0election where it will square out with Raila Odinga’s ODM.
