By Peter Ochieng
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party grassroots elections turned ugly in some parts of Nairobi, after supporters of rival camps clashed fiercely.
Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja is considered the front race in the race to become UDA chairman in Nairobi. He is battling Embakasi North Member of Parliament (MP) James Gakuya.
Supporters who clashed in South B when voting was taking place, reportedly support either of the two leaders.
At the South B polling center, the exercise was cancelled after Sakaja’s supporters clashed with those backing Gakuya. The situation got out of hand, when a group of youths stormed the center, forcing police officers to take poll officials to safety.
This week, Sakaja termed Gakuya a project by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
“The one I am competing with is not a candidate, he is project. The one I am competing with, you know him,” he told UDA Nairobi delegates.
The grassroots elections were also conducted in Narok, Busia, West Pokot, and Homa Bay counties on Friday, with calm being experienced in those areas.
On Thursday, UDA party election board dismissed a statement by party Secretary General Cleophas Malala, regarding the postponement of grassroots elections in the four aforementioned counties, and Nairobi.
UDA National Elections Board (NEB) chairperson Anthony Mwaura in a statement rubbished the notice by Malala.
“Reference is made to a notice by the acting Secretary General purporting to postpone the ongoing elections in West Pokot County. Article 21 of the UDA constitution establishes the National Elections Board as an independent organ of the Party that must act independent of any direction from anybody or any party organ.”
“Resultantly, any notice purporting to address election matters is unlawful, without basis and is therefore null and void. The UDA party will carry on with all the Constituency level elections scheduled to take place tomorrow the 31/5/2024, in compliance with the earlier notice,” said Mwaura.
The party, headed by President William Ruto continues to experience internal leadership wrangles.