United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party led by Deputy President William Ruto has come out to deny claims that it has given direct tickets to aspirants ahead of the August 9 General Election.
Through a statement on Thursday, March 3, the UDA National Elections Board chairman Antony Mwaura affirmed that the party will not issue any direct ticket to any aspirant.
“The board assures party members and aspirants, as well as Kenyans in general, that there will be no direct ticket for any position with more than one paid-up aspirant,” Mwaura said.
“The board asks Kenyans to disregard the falsehoods being peddled in social media and elsewhere,” Mwaura added.
The UDA NEB chair further assured the aspirants in the nomination process of the party will be free and fair.
“The board assures UDA members and the country that democratic processes will be guaranteed in the choice of candidates who will fly the party’s flag at the election in August,” Mwaura stated.
The statement by DP Ruto’s party come after a notice purporting to come from the party surfaced on social media claiming that the party had issued direct nominations to a number of aspirants who are close allies of the deputy president.
“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. This proposal has received massive support from party members and aspirants, who suggested specific areas and positions that should be exempt from nominations,” the letter alleged to have been signed by UDA NEB chairman Anthony Mwaura claimed.
According to the letter, Nakuru senator Susan Kihika, Governor Mutahi Kahiga of Nyeri, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua were among the twenty listed leaders who had been given tickets for various seats that they are seeking.
