UDA grassroots elections postponed

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto-led United Democtratic Alliance (UDA) party has postponed grassroots elections.

The elections, meant to elect grassroots party officials were scheduled for December 9th, 2023.

UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala in a statement on Saturday said the polls will now be conducted in April, 2024, with the decision being arrived at during a meeting with president Ruto, the party leader.

"Following a deliberative meeting of UDA's National Steering Committee chaired by the Party leader, H.E. President, William Samoei Ruto, PhD, CGH, the Party has resolved to postpone the scheduled December 9th elections to 12th, 19th, and 26th April 2024, respectively," the statement states.

"All candidates and members of the party are encouraged to continue sensitising and recruiting members to the party."

It is not clear why the elections were postponed but wrangles within the party may have had a hand in the decision.

Tempers were already flaring within the party, with Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale supporting a petition to oust Malala from the party over allegations of 'planning to mismanage the polls.'

Speaking on September 30th, 2023, President William Ruto while gracing the inaugural National Governing Council (NGC) meeting at the Bomas of Kenya, directed current party officials led by Secretary General Cleophas Malala to ensure grassroots elections are above board.

“Nobody will be given a seat on a platter...everyone must be elected by the party members,” he said.

UDA reportedly has 7.2 million registered members. The party will use technology to ensure the grassroots polls are above board.

The polls are expected to be closely contested in Rift Valley and Mt Kenya, where the party enjoys strong backing.