The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has suspended its grassroots elections in three counties pending dispute resolutions.
During a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting chaired by President William Ruto at State House on Saturday, it was decided that polls in Narok and West Pokot will remain halted until court contentions are resolved.
President Ruto instructed National Election Board (NEB) Chairman Eng. Anthony Mwaura to continue with elections in Homa Bay and Busia counties, where no legal challenges have been made.
“Where the courts have issued orders stopping the election, we have to postpone. We must respect court orders,” Ruto stated.
In Nairobi County, where Governor Johnson Sakaja and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya are in contention for the party’s chairmanship seat, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been tasked with heading the negotiations.
“Nairobi’s polls can be held on the same day as the other two counties,” Ruto added.
Phase two of the party’s nationwide grassroots polls will now proceed in 13 counties.
In May, chaos erupted at several polling centers during UDA’s grassroots elections in parts of Nairobi, leading to the cancellation of the exercise. At the South B center, Governor Sakaja’s supporters clashed with those backing MP Gakuya.
The situation escalated when a group of youths stormed the center, forcing election officials to be whisked to safety. A blame game ensued between the factions, with Sakaja’s supporters lodging complaints at the party’s headquarters.
