UDA awards nomination certificate to Kitur after nullifying Keter's win

Mar 30, 2023 - 08:05

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has awarded a nomination certificate to Bernard Kitur to fly the party's flag in the Nandi Hills parliamentary race during the August 9, 2022, General Elections. This is after the party nullified the nominations held at the constituency over allegations of irregularities during the primaries. Incumbent Nandi Hills Member of Parliament Alfred Keter had won the April 19 primaries.

Keter had won the polls by 10,363 votes while Kitur garnered 7,468 votes.

“The nomination was marred by irregularities and illegalities which negatively impacted the outcome of the entire nomination process; that there was widespread violence during the nominations; that the entire nomination was a sham,” Kitur told the party’s elections dispute tribunal. [caption id="attachment_18209" align="alignnone" width="822"] File image of Nandi Hills Member of Parliament Alfred Keter. |Courtesy| KBC|[/caption]

Keter's victory was short-lived after the committee members Collins Kiprono, Mary Mungai and Adrian Kamotho Njenga, ruled that Kitur's petition had merit.

“We have considered the various submissions made by parties and the evidence before us. We are convinced beyond doubt that the allegations substantially affected the results and impeached the integrity of the outcome,” they said.

The party moved to revoke Keter's nomination and handed the certificate to Kitur.

“The tribunal nullified the nomination certificate issued to MP Keter and the board gave the way forward on the matter."

The tribunal directed the party’s elections board to take “appropriate” disciplinary action against Keter, who is now facing accusations of voter bribery, intimidation and harassment of officials who conducted the nominations.

Keter has on a number of occasions been accused of disrespecting and attacking Deputy President William Ruto, hence the decision by UDA leaders to back Kitur in the party primaries.