The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) on Sunday received the first batch of 5,000 tablets to be used in grassroots elections which are set to start on April 26.
The electronic gadgets were received at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by National Election Board Chairman Anthony Mwaura, Secretary General Cleophas Malala and other party officials.
Malala had previously unveiled the ambitious objective of the ruling party, aiming to install over 500,000 elected officials in the impending grassroots elections.
Emphasizing the transition to digital electoral processes, he underscored the opportunity this presents to the party’s vast membership of 7.8 million, enabling them to democratically elect their preferred representatives, spanning from local polling stations to the national echelon.
“In each polling center, members will elect 20 officials, culminating in 540,000 officials across the 27,000 polling stations. These officials will include representatives from various demographics such as youths, women, persons with disabilities, religious leaders, professionals, and farmers,” he elaborated.
UDA has outlined a phased approach to the grassroots elections, with the initial stage set to kick off this Friday across seven counties, including Nairobi, Narok, West-Pokot, Busia, and Homa Bay.
The subsequent phase of grassroots polls is scheduled for June 22, 2024, spanning across 13 counties, namely Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Nyandarua, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Kisii, Bungoma, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Wajir, Tana River, Kwale, and Marsabit.
Following suit, the third phase will unfold on August 10, encompassing 15 counties such as Kiambu, Embu, Kericho, Meru, Migori, Kakamega, Nyamira, Kitui, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, Kajiado, Mandera, Kilifi, Murang’a, and Lamu.
The culmination of the electoral process will transpire on August 24, 2024, across 12 counties, including Nakuru, Bomet, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nandi, Baringo, Turkana, Laikipia, Trans-Nzoia, Kisumu, Vihiga, and Makueni.
