Kihara, Kihika in 'war of words' ahead of UDA nominations
By Peter Ochieng
While the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party is racing against time to hold free and fair nominations across the country, the party stalwarts in Nakuru County are entangled in a war of words ahead of the exercise.
Naivasha Member of Parliament (MP) Jane Kihara, is accusing Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika of what she termed as planting seeds of discord in the Deputy President (DP) William Ruto-led party.
The MP has been irked by the Senator's alleged move to support Naivasha MP aspirant John Kihagi, a week before the UDA nominations, slated for April 14.
“We can’t allow Ms Kihika to continue creating disharmony in our party unless the UDA top hierarchy is sanctioning her actions. The senator has not been sincere and is teaming up with our political opponents to ensure that only her preferred candidates sail through,” said the MP as quoted by the Nation.
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File image of Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
In a quick rejoinder, however, Senator Kihika dismissed any claims of fueling infighting in the UDA party.
“The UDA party in Nakuru is united and there are no divisions. I urge fellow leaders to exercise decorum and avoid creating unnecessary wrangles in the party. We have a bigger task of uniting the country and we can’t afford to do that with divisions,” she said.
She seemed to wonder why her name was being dragged in 'Naivasha politics', given the fact that she is a voter in the Bahati constituency.
“I dismiss the claims with the contempt they deserve. However, given the political season that we’re in, malicious propaganda is certainly expected. My one vote is in Bahati, not in Naivasha. I’m not running for MP in Naivasha, so I’m not even sure how my name is getting dragged into this sort of mess.”
On her part, MP Kihara maintains that she is ready for the primaries.
“I’m not afraid to face off with any opponent during the UDA primaries, but what we’re asking for is a level playing ground for all the contestants,” she said.
This week, DP Ruto said that he will personally take charge of the UDA nominations, to ensure that they are held in a free and fair manner.
File image of Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
In a quick rejoinder, however, Senator Kihika dismissed any claims of fueling infighting in the UDA party.
“The UDA party in Nakuru is united and there are no divisions. I urge fellow leaders to exercise decorum and avoid creating unnecessary wrangles in the party. We have a bigger task of uniting the country and we can’t afford to do that with divisions,” she said.
She seemed to wonder why her name was being dragged in 'Naivasha politics', given the fact that she is a voter in the Bahati constituency.
“I dismiss the claims with the contempt they deserve. However, given the political season that we’re in, malicious propaganda is certainly expected. My one vote is in Bahati, not in Naivasha. I’m not running for MP in Naivasha, so I’m not even sure how my name is getting dragged into this sort of mess.”
On her part, MP Kihara maintains that she is ready for the primaries.
“I’m not afraid to face off with any opponent during the UDA primaries, but what we’re asking for is a level playing ground for all the contestants,” she said.
This week, DP Ruto said that he will personally take charge of the UDA nominations, to ensure that they are held in a free and fair manner. What's Your Reaction?
