By Peter Ochieng
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has suspended Nairobi County-level elections, which were planned for Monday next week.
The party’s national elections board chaired by Anthony Mwaura in a statement on Saturday, said the move was as a result of an order by the political parties disputes tribunal.
“The National Elections Board of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) hereby issues an official notice regarding the suspension of the County Level grassroots election for Nairobi County, which was initially scheduled for 10th June 2024.”
“This suspension is issued pursuant to an order issued on 6th June 2024 by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, halting the election for Nairobi County. The board will provide further communication regarding the rescheduled date and any additional instructions in due course.”
UDA delegates from the over 15 constituencies of Nairobi were expected to elect the Nairobi County UDA Chairman. Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja and Embakasi North Member of Parliament (MP) James Gakuya are battling for the chairmanship seat.
On Thursday, members of the elections board held a meeting with Sakaja and Gakuya’s teams to address issues about the mode of the election.
Gakuya ‘s camp reportedly pushed for a manual voting system over the digital one, contrary to the party’s directives.
Sakaja has been touted as the new Nairobi UDA chairman in waiting, after, reportedly, securing the support of 240 delegates out of the possible 340 during the constituency-level elections.
Delegates at the constituency level used an electronic system to elect 20 officials from each Sub-county. The party’s elections board had previously affirmed that the elections would be digital, after procuring gadgets worth millions of shillings.
Speaking before the start of Ward-level elections days ago, governor Sakaja claimed that Gakuya is a project. “The one I am competing with, you know him. He is not a candidate, he is a project,” he claimed.
Gakuya is being supported by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The legislature this week said that he may bolt out of the ruling party, if Sakaja is declared winner.