By Peter Ochieng
It is all systems go for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots elections, set to be conducted between April and August, 2024.
The ball was set rolling on Wednesday, after the swearing-in of members of the national elections board.
Those sworn-in are Anthony Mwaura (chairperson), Veronica Kiberenge (vice chair), Lydia Munika, Jimmy Kahindi, Mary Matinga, Halake Dida and Linda Kiome.
They took the oath of office in a short ceremony overseen by UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala among other leaders.
UDA is headed by President William Ruto who on Tuesday convened a meeting to chart the way forward concerning the elections, before flying out to Ghana.
The ruling party’s grassroots elections will be conducted in four phases, starting with 26th April, 2024.
On that date, elections will be held in Nairobi, Narok, West-Pokot, Busia, Homabay, Isiolo and Garrissa.
Next will be 13 counties on 22nd June. They are; Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Nyandarua, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos and Kisii.
Others are; Bungoma, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Wajir, Tana River, Kwale and Marsabit.
Phase three, on August 10th will be the turn of 15 counties namely; Kiambu, Embu, Kericho, Meru, Migori, Kakamega, Nyamira, Kitui, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, Kajiado, Mandera, Kilifi, Murang’a and Lamu.
Finally on August 24th, 12 counties will go to the polls. They are; Nakuru, Bomet, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nandi, Baringo, Turkana, Laikipia, Trans Nzoia, Kisumu, Vihiga and Makueni.
The polls are expected to result in disputes in some of the counties. A 9-member electoral disputes resolution committee has been put in place, to deal with post election petitions.
The committee is chaired by Joy Mdivo, with Adrian Kamotho serving as her vice.
Members are Hellen Malone, Yvonne Cherop Kae, Duncan Ojwang, Isaac Kaberia, Barbra Japan, Joseph Achinji, and Ziporah Karimi Muiruri.