https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdSuwGdncTk:4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jr9l8eUfME:17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBV39n3yYUI:3
Politics Is Not For The Faint-Hearted.… Translated: Usiweke Siasa Kwa Roho… :D:D:D:D
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHerDxCqYRg:4
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Local politics in strongholds don’t have any impact to the presidential vote,
Shida ya huyo women rep anakaa rotto tank,Ruto hawezi ita yeye room 350 pale Weston.She should count her loss and move on
:D:D:D:D malaya yeye roto tank sura kiatu aende alilie mbali. UDA tunakula Roto tank swafi tu kama Omanga
[SIZE=7]Two aspirants hospitalised as chaos rocks UDA primaries in Bungoma, West Pokot…The Deputy President largely expressed satisfaction with the way the exercise was done. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:[/SIZE]
Thursday, April 14, 2022
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An injured aspirant being supported by his supporters following chaos that broke out in Kimaeti ward, Bumula sub-county, Bungoma County.
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party primaries in Kimaeti ward, Bumula sub-county, Bungoma County, turned ugly after some aspirants and their supporters engaged in a fistfight.
Two of the aspirants were hospitalised with injuries.
In West Pokot, chaos erupted at the Murkwijit polling station over rigging claims, with a man fleeing with ballot papers. The voting was stopped for some time after residents claimed some people were bribing voters.
[SIZE=6]RELATED[/SIZE]
[ul]
[li][SIZE=5]UDA primaries postponed in Turkana, Mt Elgon over logistics[/SIZE][/li]Counties 4 hours ago
[li][SIZE=5]UDA primaries: Hundreds miss out in Elgeyo Marakwet[/SIZE][/li]Elgeyo-Marakwet 4 hours ago
[/ul]
In the Bungoma incident, trouble began when the aspirants accused each other of engaging in malpractices.
Remison wanyonyi and Simiyu Abiud sustained injuries in the ensuing chaos.
Bumula MP Mwambu Mabongah, speaking at Kimaeti Health Centre where the two aspirants were hospitalised with broken limbs and bruises, condemned the violence.
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The vehicle of one of the UDA aspirants for the Kimaeti ward seat who was caught up in chaos that rocked the primaries on Thursday at Kimaeti Primary School polling station.
Mr Mabongah said UDA advocates peace and democracy.
“It is so unfortunate for such behaviours to be experienced during our primaries that have gone well across the other six wards,” he said.
The MP said the aspirants involved in causing the chaos will be disqualified.
[SIZE=6]Poll exercise postponed[/SIZE]
Voting was postponed to a date to be announced later.
Mr Mabongah asked youths to stop being manipulated by politicians to cause havoc and destruction this political season.
He said that youths who engage in violence risk being jailed and the politicians who send them will not be there to support them.
“Let me warn those young people that are being used by politicians to beat others – stop that behaviour because we shall find you and it will not be easy for you,” he warned.
He added: “I warned everyone yesterday, politics is not about beating or harming each other. Sell your manifestos peacefully to the voters and allow them to decide on their own.”
[SIZE=6]Stormed polling station[/SIZE]
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West Pokot United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party Returning Officer Ann Wanjiki engaging voters at Murkwijit polling station.
There were chaos over rigging claims. Oscar Kakai | Nation Media Group
In West Pokot, the disruption happened after allies of a ward aspirant stormed the Murkwijit Primary School polling station and fled with ballot papers.
Voting was stopped before chaos rocked the polling station, as locals demanded the ballot papers to be returned before the elections continued.
Voters suspected the people who fled with the ballot papers were going to mark them in favour of an aspirant.
Musa Ndiayi, a voter at the Murkwijit centre, said he was dissatisfied with how UDA conducted the nominations.
"We are not happy with what is happening. How can someone storm the polling station and walk away with unmarked ballot papers? (We) won’t accept the results,” he said.
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Voters queueing at Makutano Primary School in West Pokot County during the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party primaries on April 14, 2022.
Oscar Kakai | Nation Media Group
[SIZE=6]No polls[/SIZE]
UDA will not conduct nominations for the seats of West Pokot governor, senator, woman representative, and the Kacheliba, Kapenguria and Sigor parliamentary seats.
UDA county returning officer Ann Wanjiku said leaders in the county reached a consensus to back one candidate for each of those seats in the August 2022 elections.
She said former West Pokot governor Simon Kachapin will fly UDA’s gubernatorial flag and Julius Murgor for the Senate. Woman Representative Lilian Tomitom will defend her seat and Mark Lomunokol, Peter Lochakapong and Samuel Moroto will defend their Kacheliba, Sigor and Kapenguria seats, respectively, under UDA.
[SIZE=6]Police on high alert[/SIZE]
In Uasin Gishu County, police assured UDA members of safety during and after party primaries.
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Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago second (right), queues to cast the ballot at Limnyomoi Primary School Polling Station in Soy Constituency of Uasin Gishu County during the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominations on April 14, 2022. Mr Mandago who is concluding his second term is eyeing the Senator’s seat. Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Uasin Gishu County police commander Ayub Gitonga said due to the nature of the exercise, more police officers have been deployed to various voting centers in the county.
Mr Gitonga said police have identified areas with potential to have chaos and were on high alert.
He refuted claims that there were polling stations without police officers during the start of party primaries.
“As police officers we have a role to provide security to all Kenyans regardless of their political party affiliations, we have been manning all polling stations since morning, no one should insinuate that we are reluctant to provide security,” said Mr Gitonga
Mr Gitonga challenged UDA leaders in the county to liaise with the police to ensure that the exercise goes on smoothly within the rule of law.
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Agents of various Uasin Gishu aspirants wait at the entrance of Hill School Primary Polling Station in Kesses Constituency for the UDA party nominations to start on April 14, 2022. The exercise was to start at 7 am, but by 8:30 am the station had not been opened. Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
The county boss warned UDA followers against acts of lawlessness during the exercise, warning that they risked arrest.
“Anyone found violating the law and in breach of the peace will be arrested and dealt with accordingly, regardless of their status,” warned Mr Gitonga.
At the same time, the police boss directed followers of UDA to immediately leave polling stations after voting to avoid unnecessary congestion, which is a threat to security.
Chaos and confusion also rocked UDA nominations in parts of Nakuru Town East constituency following claims of vote-rigging and discrepancies in the voter registers.
At the Nakuru railways polling station, a section of voters boycotted the exercise and demanded its closure, alleging that there existed a rigging scheme by some party bigwigs in favour of a particular candidate.
The voters took to the streets protesting against the incumbent MP David Gikaria and Senator Susan Kihika whom they accused of plotting a scheme to interfere with the outcome of the primaries in favour of a particular ward representative candidate.
Nation.Africa can confirm that the exercise was yet to kick off by 7 pm despite other voters waiting patiently outside the station to cast their ballots.
Gilgil MP Martha Wangari and former Nakuru county assembly deputy-clerk Steve Gatimu were the only aspirants battling for the party’s ticket.
[SIZE=6]Rigging claims[/SIZE]
On Wednesday, Mr Gatimu had alleged plans to rig the nominations in favour of the incumbent.
But the returning officer r assured of a free fair and transparent exercise.
Mr Gatimu later said he was satisfied with the process after his concerns were addressed.
The aspirant had complained about the polling clerks, whom he claimed were allied to Ms Wangari.
“Despite the little delay we are satisfied with how the exercise is being conducted especially after the issues we raised yesterday (Wednesday) were acted upon by the party and the polling officials were reshuffled,” said Mr Gatimu.
In Gilgil Sub-County, voting was delayed for some hours despite voters arriving at polling stations early.
Voting in most polling centres started as late as 10 am to the fury of impatient voters who had arrived earlier.
One of the residents, Mr John Kimani, said he arrived by 6 am expecting to cast his vote before proceeding to work.
He lamented the delay, saying that he would be forced to wait until evening when he comes from work in order to vote.
“I was expecting that polling centres will be open by 7 am so that I can vote before going to work. Now I have been here for two hours but there is no sign of the exercise starts,” said Mr Kimani.
Ballot materials were being dispatched from Comboni Polytechnic to the more than 82 polling stations.
Speaking at the party headquarters in Nairobi at the conclusion of the exercise late on Thursday evening, Deputy President William Ruto said the repeat nominations will be conducted next week on Tuesday.
While acknowledging that exercise was hampered by logistical challenges in some areas, the Deputy President largely expressed satisfaction with the way the exercise was done.
“I applaud the National Elections Board (NEB) for the nomination exercise that has been successful. We experienced challenges in some area which will be investigated and if necessary the polls might be repeated,” Dr Ruto said.
At the same time, the Deputy President challenged the Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to take lessons from the party.
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
The UDA nominations were conducted in 36 counties in the country.
Additional Reporting by Titus Ominde
[SIZE=7]How Much UDA Nomination Losers Will Pay to Dispute Results[/SIZE]
[ul]
[li]By MUMBI MUTUKO on 15 April 2022 - 2:37 pm[/li]
https://www.kenyans.co.ke/files/styles/article_style_mobile/public/images/media/Anthony%20Mwaura.jpg?itok=bikcawDT
UDA National Elections Board chair Anthony Mwaura speaking to the media on Thursda.
[/ul]
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Electoral and Nomination Dispute Resolution Committee released rules and procedures that primaries losers will follow to file complaints.
A number of seasoned politicians have lost in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominations that were conducted on Thursday, April 14.
Even as the party continues with the tallying of results from other areas, a number of big names that graced Deputy President William Ruto’s events have been floored in the nominations.
The Deputy President William Ruto led party also detailed the amount the complainants will pay for their disputes to be heard.
In the document, UDA noted applicants will pay Ksh500,000 for disputes involving the presidential nominations while those challenging the gubernatorial nominations will part with Ksh200,000.
https://www.kenyans.co.ke/files/styles/article_inner_mobile/public/images/media/UDA%20nominations.jpg?itok=fBVZvR9O
Baringo Central constituency UDA primaries and tallying were conducted at Kabarnet High School on Thursday, April 14, 2022
Complaints on the senatorial ticket will be heard after the complainant pays Ksh100,000. National Assembly disputes will be settled after paying Ksh100,000 as well as the Woman Representative disputes.
Members of the County Assembly disputes will be settled after paying Ksh20,000.
“There is hereby established committee referred to as the Dispute Resolution Committee whose mandate is to receive, hear and determine disputes resulting from internal party elections or nominations…These rules and procedures aim to ensure the values of the party as set out in the…Constitution are adhered to in the discharge of this mandate. Consequently, the purpose of these rules and procedures is to preserve the integrity and impartiality of the Committee and to provide guidance to the applicants,” the guidelines read in part.
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UDA election materials being burnt in Embu town on April 13, 2022
Largely, the UDA nominations exercise was seamless but in some parts of the country, the process was marred with chaos with aspirants disputing the whole process and the outcomes.
Even before the party primaries started, a number of aspirants expressed fears that they would be rigged out. This was the case in Embu and Bomet counties.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPYET4_6Mno:3
A lorry ferrying election material was on Wednesday, April 13 ransacked and the ballot boxes and papers were burnt in Embu town.
Aspirants drawn from the larger Embu county made counter-allegations over alleged rigging plans. In Bomet the exercise was marred by claims that some ballot papers were pre-marked.
[B][I]Weche Mogik[/I][/B]
Well, there you go, Hustler’s party! Party Leader smiling all the way to the bank even if he is the cause of the dispute!
Former Kameme FM presenter, Njogu Wa Njoroge, conceded defeat after losing in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominations for the Njoro parliamentary seat. Through his official Facebook page, the popular vernacular radio presenter congratulated the incumbent Member of Parliament, Charity Kathambi, and promised to work with her to ensure she wins in the August 9 polls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmjqvsA8YnA:18
Among vocal politicians who have lost in the UDA party primaries is Laikipia Woman Representative, Cate Waruguru.
The outspoken Legislator was seeking UDA’s ticket in the Laikipia East parliamentary race.
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Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara and Laikipia Woman Representative Cate Waruguru.
Waruguru, a close ally of the DP, was defeated by the incumbent MP, Mohammed Amin Deddy, who garnered 12,743 votes against Waruguru’s 5,595 votes. Former MP Anthony Mutahi came third with 2,701 votes.
Naivasha Member of Parliament, Jayne Kihara, was also trounced by her predecessor John Kihagi.
The lawmaker managed 9,991 votes against Kihagi’s 10,394 votes.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen’s aide, Adams Kipsanai, also defeated two-time Keiyo North MP, James Murgor, to bag the UDA party ticket.
Keiyo South MP, Daniel Rono, also lost in the UDA primaries.
Igembe South Member of Parliament, John Paul Mwirigi, was given a direct UDA ticket after the party reached a consensus amongst the contestants.
National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Moses Cheboi, lost in the Kuresoi North UDA party primaries to Sirikwa Member of County Assembly (MCA), Alfred Mutai.
Tonui garnered 14,181 votes, trouncing, among others, his close competitor and former MP Zakayo Cheruiyot, who received 7,251.
Emurua Dikirr MP, Johana Ngeno, won the primaries after garnering 14,381 votes against David Keter’s 8,943.
Paul Pyego alias Polo defeated Chesumei MP, Wilson Kogo, after garnering 21,370 votes against the incumbent’s 12,980.
Kuresoi South MP, Joseph Tonui, won the nominations after beating five other contestants.
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I insulted Raila Odinga more than anyone else on our UDA team, how come I could not get the UDA ticket?
-Hon Cate Waruguru-
:D:D:D
Kumbe amechapa hivi!
[SIZE=7]Angry UDA Aspirants Storm Party Headquarters[/SIZE]
[ul]
[li]By MUMBI MUTUKO on 16 April 2022 - 8:39 am[/li]
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Screengrab of voters demonstrating in Nakuru in ongoing UDA Nominations in Nakuru on Thursday,
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A section of aggrieved United Democratic Alliance (UDA) aspirants staged a demonstration outside the Hustler Center in Nairobi to oppose what they termed as the extortionist nature of the party.
The aspirants, who lost in the party’s nominations held on Thursday, April 14, accused the party of setting high complaints filing fees to discourage them from disputing the outcomes.
According to UDA, an aspirant disputing the outcomes of a presidential nomination is required to pay Ksh500,000 for their complaint to be heard by the party’s Election and Nomination Disputes Resolution Committee.
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Gubernatorial aspirants challenging the nomination outcomes are supposed to pay Ksh200,000 while senatorial, Woman Rep, and parliamentary complainants must part with Ksh100,000.
For aspirants contesting the Member of County Assembly (MCA) nomination results, their disputes will only be heard once they pay the Ksh20,000 filing fees.
The demonstrating aspirants sought an audience with the party’s National Election Board (NEB) led by chairman Anthony Mwaura or the party leader, Deputy President William Ruto.
“We want to see the NEB team. The fees they are imposing are too high and we know this is to discourage us from pursuing what falls within our rights,” one aspirant opined.
“Even filing a case at the High Court or any other court is not this expensive. The party should make the fees reasonable so that every aspirant who feels cheated can file their complaint and be heard,” he added.
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The aggrieved aspirants further claimed that the nomination exercise was marred with irregularities, fraud, and voter bribery.
“A lot of people came to vote but their names were not in the register of voters. The presiding officers then said they will use the 2017 register but the names were also not in that register,” one aspirant argued.
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Their prayers to meet NEB were futile as the board made it clear that they had to comply with the set procedure, including payment of the complaints fees before they are heard.
The Thursday exercise was largely peaceful and smooth but was contested in areas such as Bomet, Kiambu, Embu, and parts of Nakuru.
In Bomet, former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General, Wilson Sossion, argued that the exercise was fraudulent, claiming the existence of pre-marked ballot papers even before the date of the nominations.
https://www.kenyans.co.ke/files/styles/article_inner_mobile/public/images/media/UDA%20Electoral%20Dispute%20Resolution%20Committee%20members%20hold%20a%20press%20conference%20.jpg?itok=7t4Nu23t
UDA Electoral Dispute Resolution Committee members hold a press conference on Friday, April 16, 2022.
In Embu, a lorry transporting nomination material to Mt Kenya East region was ransacked and the material set on fire by supporters who accused the party of planning to rig out some aspirants.
The party, however, disputed the claims with the Deputy President terming the exercise a 99 percent success, adding that even the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has never achieved what UDA did.
[SIZE=7]List of winners and losers in UDA primaries[/SIZE]
Saturday, April 16, 2022
[SIZE=6]Nandi[/SIZE]
Governor: Stephen Sang
Senator: Samson Cherargei
Woman Representative: Not Yet
Aldai: Maryanne Kitany
Chesumei: Paul Pyego
Mosop: Abraham Kirwa
[SIZE=6]Baringo [/SIZE]
Governor: Benjamin Cheboi
Senate: William Cheptumo
Woman Representative: Florence Chematia
E/Ravine: Musa Sirma
Baringo South: Charles Kamuren
Baringo Central: Joshua Kandie
[SIZE=6]Laikipia[/SIZE]
Governor Candidate: Joshua Irungu
Laikipia East: Amin Deddy
Senator: John Kinyua
Woman Rep Candidate: Jane Kagiri (Was leading Friday evening)
[SIZE=6]Uasin Gishu[/SIZE]
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Jackson Mandago speaks to the press after he won in the United Democratic Alliance Party nominations on April 15, 2022.
Governor: Jonathan Bii ‘Koti Moja’
Senate: Jackson Mandago
Woman Representative: Gladys Boss Shollei
Kapsaret: Oscar Sudi
Turbo: Janet Sitienei
[SIZE=6]Nyeri[/SIZE]
Governor Candidate: Mutahi Kahiga
Woman Rep: Rahab Mukami
Senator: Wahome Wamatinga
Nyeri Town: Duncan Maina Mathenge
Tetu: Mwangi Wandeto
Mathira: Rigathi Gachagua
Kieni: Njoroge Wainaina
Othaya: Wainaina Wambugu
Mukurweini: John Kaguchia
[SIZE=6]Embu[/SIZE]
Governor: Cecily Mbarire
Senator: David Kariuki
Manyatta: Gitonga Mukungi
Mbeere North: Muriuki Njagagua
Runyenjes: Eric Muchangi
[SIZE=6]Meru[/SIZE]
Governor: Mithika Linturi
Senator: Kathuri Murungi
Woman Rep: Karambu Kailemia
Imenti South: Mwithi Kathaara
Imenti Central: Kirima Ngucine
Imenti North: Halima Mucheke
Buuri: Mugambi Rindikiri
Tigania West: John Mutunga
Tigania East: Gichunge Kabeaba
Igembe Central: Kubai Iringo
Igembe North: Julius Taitumu
Igembe South: Johnpaul Mwirigi
[SIZE=6]Tharaka-Nithi[/SIZE]
Governor: Muthomi Njuki
Senator: Mwenda Gataya
Woman Rep: Dr Beatrice Kathomi
Chuka Igambangombe: Patrick Munene
Maara: Kareke Mbiuki
Tharaka: Gitonga Murugara
[SIZE=6]Kirinyaga[/SIZE]
Governor: Ann Waiguru
Woman Rep: Njeri Maina
Senator: Kamau Murango
Kirinyaga Central; Gachoki Gitari
Mwea: Mary Maingi
Gichugu: Gichimu Githinji
Ndia: George Kariuki
[SIZE=6]Murang’a[/SIZE]
Governor: Irungu Kang’ata
Senator: Joe Nyutu
Woman Rep: Betty Njeri
Maragua: Mary Wamaua
Kandara: Alice Wahome
Kiharu: Ndindi Nyoro
Mathioya: David Mugo
Kigumo: Joseph Munyoro
Kangema: Peter Kihungi
Gatanga: Edward Muriu
Despite the dawn to dusk campaign rallies across Bureti, Ainamoi, Belgut, Soin Sigowet, Kipkelion West and Kipkelion East constituencies, the former Belgut legislator put up a poor show in the poll.
Dr Mutai garnered 126,038 votes, Mr Keter polled 60,342, Deputy Governor Lily Ngok had 9,377 while Prof James Sang got 2,987 in the race to succeed Prof Paul Chepkwony who is serving his second and last term.
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From the onset, it was clear that Mr Keter would have a very rough time in the campaigns. Most Kericho residents had opposed his candidature even before he declared that he would run.
The former CS was put on his defense in the campaigns with claims that he owned the tea plucking machines used by the multinational tea companies which have resulted in laying off more than 20,000 workers in the South Rift region.
It became clear that the road to delivering the UDA ticket had become rough and bumpy for Mr Keter when two days to the election, Dr Mutai and Mr Kirui teamed up in a negotiated political deal.
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Keroche Breweries CEO Tabitha Karanja is the Nakuru United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate for the August 9 General election.
“With the support of our people and the party I am ready to face my competitors from the other parties and I am sure to deliver the seat,” said Ms Karanja.
The losers, who had earlier claimed that the results were manipulated, later conceded defeat.
Mr Andrew Yatich came third in the senatorial race had earlier in the day rejected the results which claimed had been rigged in favour of Ms Karanja.
He however, promised to support the party and work with Ms Karanja.
Nakuru Woman Representative Liza Chelule also won the UDA party ticket after garnering 86,344 votes against her main opponent Jenniffer Kajuju who got 56022 votes.
Ms Flora Kiprop came third with 25,955 votes.
[SIZE=7]The Low Voter Turnout Witnessed In Mount Kenya Last Week A Headache For DP William Ruto’s UDA… [/SIZE]
Ruto’s party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA), went into the primaries on Thursday hoping to showcase its popularity, especially in Rift Valley and Mount Kenya. With such expectations and knowing that his opponents were waiting for any slight stumble, the party performed largely above average.
The nominations revealed the DP’s strengths and weaknesses. The strengths include the popularity of the party, the ability to renew itself by attracting young candidates, growing organizational skills, and its strongholds.
But the primaries also served as a reminder of the hurdles he has to overcome to win the presidential race in the August 9 General Election. Among them is low voter turnout in areas like Mt Kenya, loss of bigwigs that may bring in cash and clout, the lack of cash needed to man votes in an election, and the unreliability of some of the youth voters that identify with the “hustler nation”.
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Deputy President William Ruto (right) addressing journalists at the Hustler Centre in Nairobi on April 14, 2022 on the day his party, UDA, went into the primaries on Thursday hoping to showcase its popularity, especially in Rift Valley and Mount Kenya.
[SIZE=6]Taken personal charge[/SIZE]
In organizing the UDA polls, the DP had taken personal charge of the exercise which ensured that failures were limited. On the other hand, Azimio presidential hopeful Raila Odinga left the ODM nominations to the party’s National Elections Board making it easy for incumbents to infiltrate the system and subvert the peoples’ will, a scenario that has seen all MPs re-elected in Mr Odinga’s strongholds of Siaya and Homa Bay counties.
While UDA’s NEB chairperson Anthony Mwaura and Tharaka Nithi senator, Prof Kithure Kindiki, provided updates on the nomination throughout the day on Thursday, Mr Ruto appeared late in the evening to give the final word, further showing how he was keen on delivering clean primaries.
“I applaud the National Elections Board (NEB) for the nomination that has been successful. We experienced challenges in some areas which will be investigated and if necessary, the polls might be repeated,” Dr Ruto said.
Except in Rift Valley which is his backyard, the DP had tried to ensure consensus prevailed in most other areas, which again lowered temperatures. The primaries, therefore, gave a chance for fresh blood to reinvigorate the party as big names fell by the wayside. But in doing so, it may have taken away some of the trusted allies of the DP such as former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter and Soy MP Caleb Kositany. In particular, Mr Keter has been a trusted ally and an asset to the DP in terms of fundraising, mobilization, and influence. Moreover, some of these allies who lost have a nationwide name recognition which is important for mobilization.
For his hands-on management of the primaries, the DP ensured that the exercise went on smoothly in most parts.
[SIZE=6]Not as excepted[/SIZE]
Even though UDA says that it has some eight million registered members who were eligible to vote in the primaries, the turnout was not as excepted.
Traditionally, turnout in party primaries, like in by-elections, is usually not as high as in the General Election but given the UDA’s intention was to show how popular the party is, low voter participation blighted the otherwise smooth exercise.
But it is in the turnout that the DP will have to go an extra mile to improve on ahead of the August polls. By using the IEBC register, the party opened up for even none members to vote in the primaries but still, the turnout, particularly in the mountain region, was less impressive.
Given that the DP’s core bases are his backyard of Rift Valley and the mountain, anything that affects the turnout in the regions in the General Election will hugely impact his State House bid.
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In both Rift Valley and Mount Kenya where UDA has put a concerted effort to dislodge President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party, turnout was very low.
Analysis of governor races in Jubilee Party 2017 nominations compared to those of the just-concluded UDA nominations indicate that Ruto has a tough job ahead.
For instance, Kiambu which in 2017 had 1.2 million registered voters only saw 138,384 people participate in the governor nomination unlike in the battle between Ferdinand Waititu and William Kabogo which attracted over 423,520 voters. According to the latest vote-listing by IEBC, Kiambu has 1.3 million registered voters.
[SIZE=6]Delayed poll opening[/SIZE]
In Gatundu South and Kiambaa constituencies, low turnout and delayed opening of polling stations characterized the process.
Another justification that UDA primaries witnessed low turnout is Uasin Gishu. In 2017, some 209,550 people voted in the governor nomination, unlike this time when only 179,970 participated.
In Nakuru County, the primaries which were supposed to be high-octane recorded a poor turnout across all the 11 constituencies.
Subukia constituency, which is considered a UDA stronghold, had 18,690 people vote out of the 81,144 registered.
In the neighboring Bahati constituency whose MP Kimani Ngunjiri is Ruto’s close ally, the turnout was even worse. The agriculture-rich constituency has 100,508 registered voters but only 13,684 voters turned up to vote in the primaries.
With Jubilee planning to field candidates in the polls in all the 11 constituencies, this means UDA must work even harder to win most of the parliamentary seats in Nakuru which has a combined 1.1 million registered voters.
The nominations started slowly in many parts of Murang’a County. Officials were claiming that overnight rains delayed the turnout. Nearly three hours after the polls had opened, only 10 people had cast their ballots at Kagunduini Primary School.
In Nyeri, most polling stations had served less than 100 voters by midday. In Meru, there was poor turnout after incumbent MCAs and the Woman representative aspirants failed to take part in the nominations.
[SIZE=6]Ballot materials burnt[/SIZE]
In Embu, the turnout was affected after the nominations were delayed for several hours to enable the replacement of ballot materials burnt during the Wednesday fracas.
In Tharaka Nithi, voters were stranded after voting started late due to missing materials and disagreements over the reorganization of presiding officers.
Some voting materials for the Maara constituency were still in Tharaka constituency by 10 am causing an uproar among aspirants and voters.
Given that Mr Ruto is facing steep climbs in other regions like Nairobi, Coast, Western, Nyanza, Lower Eastern, and North Eastern, he needs a high turnout in Rift Valley and the mountain region to better his chances of winning the presidency in the August 9 polls.
[SIZE=6]Hurdles to surmount[/SIZE]
According to Prof Masibo Lumala of Moi University, with low turnout largely witnessed in Mount Kenya unlike in Rift Valley, UDA has some hurdles to surmount ahead of the elections.
“On one hand, it is now clear that Rift Valley is a UDA zone and that is why those who have won tickets are sure of winning the August elections. The voter turnout will worry UDA in areas like Nyeri, Embu, Kiambu, and the likes meaning the masses are not yet convinced,” Prof Lumala elucidated.
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The poor turnout is also giving his opponents ammunition to claim that UDA is not as popular in the mountain as the DP and his allies have portrayed it. In Nyandarua County, for instance, Governor Francis Kimemia attributed the low voter turnout to a reinvigorated Jubilee.
"The party activations and direct involvement of the President are bearing fruit; voters are realizing the truth. The time for lies has come to an end. We have a shocker for them in the remaining months. They should prepare for a saddening defeat,” said Mr Kimemia as he mocked UDA for the poor turnout in his county.
The party chose to use the 2017 voters’ register by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which according to Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata, could have locked out many eligible voters whose names were not in the register but were registered as UDA members.
“Remember UDA didn’t allow new voters to vote unlike 2017 when we had a full register. Anyone who had taken a voter’s card after 2017 could not vote. We didn’t have an updated IEBC register,” said Mr Kang’ata.
Mr Kang’ata also disagrees that the turnout was low.
“I am saying the turnout was very good. I guess the media wanted to see lines as evidence of a huge turnout. There were lines but also efficiency that ensured there were no queues. You need data to conclude turnout was low,” he said.
According to the Murang’a senator, the 2017 and 2022 Jubilee and UDA nomination numbers are not far apart.
In Nyandarua, he says about 120,000 people voted which is almost similar to the 2017 figures.
“Kimemia got 87,000 votes in 2017 (Jubilee nominations). The winner in this race got 60,000 or thereabouts. That is comparable,” said Mr Kang’ata.
[SIZE=6]Exogenous factors[/SIZE]
In places where turnout was not impressive, Mr Kang’ata claims it was because of exogenous factors other than support for UDA.
“Remember we had transportation challenges due to fuel crisis,” he said.
Nyandarua County Assembly Majority Leader Mukuria Sambigi expressed similar sentiments, saying Jubilee has the structures and growing goodwill from the people.
"The UDA politicians were misguided that they have the majority, but the voter turnout speaks loud and clear,” said Mr Sambigi, the Githioro ward MCA.
While Rift Valley appears to be safe as far as turnout is concerned, the challenge for the DP will be the mountain region.
Reports suggest that the DP will name his running mate from the region. Such a move, he hopes, will cement his pact with the region and motivate voters to come out and vote on August 9.
Insiders now say the battle for the running mate has been reduced to four people: Kandara MP Alice Wahome, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, Prof Kindiki, and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro. Though the battle seems to have reduced to the latter two, insiders say all four have an equal chance in DP Ruto’s eyes.
Additional reporting by Francis Mureithi, Simon Ciuri and David Muchui.
Raila Must Step Up… 
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Outspoken Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter won the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket to defend his seat in the General Election on August 9, 2022.
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Keter spoke at Samoei Boys High School in Nandi Hills.
After flooring his competitors, Keter managed to secure victory in the Deputy President William Ruto-led party to clear him for the race.
Keter emerged the winner of the contest Keter garnered 10,273 votes against his closest opponent Bernard Kitur who got 7,468 votes.
Last week, the nominations were postponed to Tuesday, April 19, following the death of one of the aspirants, Wesley Kogo, who died in a road accident.
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Other aspirants in the race were Robert Chepkwony (2,513 votes), Irene Chemutai (388 votes), George Tarus (425 votes) and Abraham Limo (540 votes).
Delay in issuing the interim certificate Drama ensued when Keter was declared the winner, but there was a delay in issuing the interim certificate.
He asked his supporters not to leave the tallying centre until he got the certificate.
“Let me put it on record that there are some people who had vowed to ensure that even if we win, we will not be given the interim certificate but we are not leaving here until we have it,” he had told his supporters earlier Tuesday.
UDA returning officer Dismas Kipkoech Tuwei did not explain why there was a delay in issuing the certificate.
DP Ruto’s allies ganged up against Keter The allies had told voters to reject Keter in the run-up to the primaries.
The leaders spoke at the burial of Kogo, who died in a road accident in Kangemi, Nairobi, last week.
Keter, seen as opposing Ruto joined the UDA party on March 2 and availed himself at the party offices in Nairobi to seek clearance to participate in the party primaries.
Led by Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, Senator Samson Cherargei and MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Caleb Kositany (Soy), and Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, the leaders told Nandi Hills voters to elect an MP who will not betray the Kalenjin community and one who backs the deputy president’s bid to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August General Election.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) says it received a total of 166 complaints from the party primaries held on Thursday, April 14.
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DP William Ruto
UDA’s Electoral and Nominations Disputes Committee noted that the complaints were filed by aspirants who expressed dissatisfaction with the outcomes of the nominations that saw 1,031 positions attracts contestants.
The complaints were submitted to the National Elections Board (NEB) which is chaired by, Anthony Mwaura. Out of the 166 petitions, 135 were for
Members of County Assembly positions, 25 for Members of Parliament aspirants, 2 Woman Representatives, 2 Senate positions and 2 for governor positions.
Of the complaints, 105 were dismissed due to lack of merit, 40 cases were allowed and the committee ordered a repeat in the primaries.
9 were referred to the National Elections Board and were subjected to alternative disputes resolution while 6 were withdrawn by the applicants.
6 out of the over 166 filed petitions were overtaken by events.
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Nandi Hills MP Alred Keter
In Naivasha, the dispute committee overturned John Kihagi’s win announcing that Jane Kihara had won in the primaries with one vote just a day after the former Legislator was announced the winner.
In another instance, Starehe MP aspirant, Charles Njagua Kanyi, famously known as Jaguar, lost to EALA Member of Parliament, Simon Mbugua, who was issued with the UDA ticket following opinion poll results.
Nandi Hills MP, Alfred Keter, became the latest victim after his win was nullified.
The Dispute Resolution Committee nullified Keter’s win after his rival Bernard Kitur successfully appealed his case.
[SIZE=7]Kositany Remarks on Alfred Keter Cause Public Outrage[/SIZE]
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[li]By PAUL KURGAT on 25 April 2022 - 12:35 pm[/li]
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A collage of Soy MP Caleb Kositany and his Nandi Hills counterpart, Alfred Keter
[/ul]
A video of Soy Member of Parliament, Caleb Kositany, verbally attacking his Nandi Hills counterpart, Alfred Keter, has caused public outrage with a section of Kenyans accusing him of ethnic profiling.
In the clip making rounds on social media, Kositany, during a public address, accuses Keter of being an incompetent leader, further linking it to his ethnicity and branding him an outsider.
The clip, which Kenyans.co.ke has established was shot in 2018, the Soy MP opined that Keter was an outsider who was lucky to have been elected as an MP in the region dominated by his sub-tribe.
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Soy Member of Parliament Caleb Kositany s
He further called on elders not to back Keter’s his re-election, noting that the MP had become disrespectful to the community and the people he works with. Kositany asked elders from Keter’s sub-tribe to pick their son and teach him how to live and work with other people.
“If Keter was one of us, I would have asked the elders to back him for the parliamentary seat. But he is an outsider. We are telling his elders to come for their son and mentor him, to know how to work with people,” the MP stated.
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The MP also called on the alienation of the sub-tribe in the elections, especially in North Rift areas. His comments have attracted a backlash from members of the public who now want the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to investigate him.
While a section of Kenyans want the MP to apologise, notwithstanding the time he made the remarks, others argued that he should be investigated and prosecuted.
At the same time, a section of Kenyans argued that the remarks will dent Deputy President William Ruto’s campaigns.
Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok noted that the remarks posed a potential threat to the unity of a people. He opined the video was being used by malicious individuals who wanted to cause discourse in the Rift Valley.
“Let’s not accept the invitation to any form of disunity and disharmony by allowing seeds of discord to be planted amongst us. To my friend and veteran politician Hon Caleb Kositany, please find it possible to withdraw the unfortunate remarks and apologize,” Barchok stated
The video surfaced days after the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nullified the nomination of Keter, further awarding the certificate to his rival, Bernard Kitur.
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Alfred Keter
According to UDA’s Disputes Resolution Tribunal, the irregularities and illegalities raised by Kitur were substantive.
UDA further stated that it would investigate Keter for alleged voter bribery, intimidation and harassment of officials conducting the nominations.
“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,” the tribunal ruled.
Keter has been on the receiving end with Legislators allied to the Deputy President accusing him of being a betrayer. In the latest onslaught, Kapseret MP, Oscar Susi, accused Keter of being an Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party mole, asking his constituents to vote him out on August 9.
“I have spoken to Keter but he seems to have a lot of pride. You have my blessing, send him home for five years so that he can go and rethink about where the rains started beating him,” Sudi stated.
[SIZE=7]Keter goes independent, dares UDA to a duel in August polls[/SIZE]
Nandi Hills Member of Parliament Alfred Keter will defend his seat as an independent candidate after the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party nullified his victory in the Tuesday party primaries, citing malpractices.
Mr Keter, in an interview with Nation.Africa, dared the UDA party to a duel in the August General Election for the Nandi Hills seat, revealing that he will be resigning from UDA tomorrow.
A ruling delivered on Friday by UDA tribunal judges Collins Kiprono, Mary Mungai and Jadrian Kamotho Njenga stated that Mr Bernard Kitur, who had challenged the legislator’s win, had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the Nandi Hills nominations which took place on Tuesday were marred with irregularities and illegalities, which negatively impacted the outcome of the entire exercise.
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Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter.
“A declaration is hereby issued that the decision of the returning officer declaring the first respondent- Mr Keter- as the presumptive nominee for the position of Member of Parliament, Nandi Hills Constituency, is null and void,” read the ruling.
Read: Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter’s election victory upheld
But Mr Keter, responding to the verdict on Sunday for the first time since it was delivered, said the cancellation of his win was never a coincidence.
“There was nothing like a tribunal. It was just a rubber stamp to perpetuate an injustice and subvert the will of Nandi Hills constituents. But I am warning them of a humiliating defeat in the General Election because I will defend my seat as an independent candidate. My denial of the certificate was not a coincidence,” he said.
The fiery legislator, who has been at loggerheads with elected leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto, said all the evidence supplied to the tribunal was part of a wider scheme to deny him the nomination ticket because it was evident that Nandi Hills people would nominate him at the primaries.
[SIZE=6]Caused chaos[/SIZE]
“I neither caused any chaos nor forced anyone to give me the nomination certificate as it was purported in the tribunal,” he said.
“The party was deliberate from the word go to deny me the ticket because they started by delaying the delivery of voting materials. And when it was evident that I was poised to win, they stuffed over 5,000 ballots in favour of Mr Kitur to the ballot boxes. Mr Kitur was nowhere near my victory because, just like other competitors, he garnered just 2 000 votes,” he said.
Read: Ruto allies gang up against Keter
Mr Keter, who garnered 10,273 votes against Mr Kitur’s 7,468 votes, said Mr Robert Chepkwony, with 2,513 votes, was his closest challenger. Other aspirants in the race Irene Chemutai got 388 votes, while George Tarus and Abraham Limo garnered 425 votes and 540 votes, respectively.
“I am resigning tomorrow (Monday) from the UDA party and will hit the ground campaigning to recapture my seat from puppets who want to deny Nandi Hills people democracy. I am buoyed by my development record, which speaks for itself and I am optimistic of retaining my seat on this account,” he stated.
[SIZE=6]Support Ruto[/SIZE]
Asked whether he will still support DP Ruto in his presidential quest, Mr Keter remained cagey.
“What I know is that my constituents are angry over what happened. I will neither say I still support him or not but time will tell,” he said.
Mr Keter said plans to deny him the ticket started years ago and it was part of a wider scheme to publicly humiliate him during DP Ruto’s visit in Nandi last year.
“The heckling I received was meant to paint me as a DP critic in front of my supporters, but I took it with grace because I knew the voters were with me. But they will have their way in the August General Election and I will have my say because I will be voted in overwhelmingly,” he said.
Mr Keter said his perceived hardline position against DP Ruto was the main reason that some individuals were hell bent to ensure they lock him out of the ballot.
He will now join a dozen of other aspirants who lost in the hotly contested UDA primaries to vie as independent candidates in the August 9 General Election, a scenario that may dent DP Ruto’s UDA party dominance in its perceived North rift turf.
[email protected]
[SIZE=7]Blow to Alfred Keter as tribunal upholds UDA decision[/SIZE]
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter has suffered a blow after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal upheld the decision of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party to revoke his victory in the recent primaries.
The tribunal found there was no merit in Mr Keter’s complaint, which sought quashing of the party’s decision to award the nomination certificate to his rival Bernard Kitur.
In the ruling rendered by the tribunal presided by Stephen Ligunya, PPDT endorsed the decision of the UDA National Elections Board.
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It dismissed Mr Keter’s claims that the Board had erred in fact and law by overturning his victory in the primaries where he garnered 10,333 votes against Mr Kitur 7,468 votes.
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The Board nullified the victory upon finding that the April 19 nomination exercise was marred with irregularities such as ballot stuffing and violence. Hence, Mr Keter’s win was irregular.
In his complaint, the MP said it was wrong for the UDA Board to hold that Mr Kitur proved the allegations to the required standard of proof.
“The Board erred in holding that the agents and representatives of Mr Keter forcefully stormed various polling stations and physically assaulted Mr Kitur’s agents and locked them out of polling stations,” said his lawyer Ediwn Saluny.
He added that the Board had made legal blunders by nullifying Mr Keter’s victory despite there being overwhelming evidence that he won and there was no dispute of the votes he garnered save for three polling stations out of 100 stations.
The lawyer further faulted the Board for failing to hold that the results from the three polling stations –Soiyet primary school, Lengubei and Kaboswa –did not substantially affect the outcome of the nomination.
This is because if all the votes in the three stations were to be given to Mr Kitur, Mr Keter would still have emerged the winner with a clear margin.
Meanwhile…
Two weeks after throwing political brickbats at top United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leadership over disputed nominations in Bomet County, ODM-nominated MP Wilson Sossion and Woman Representative Joyce Korir have sought to make amends.
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[li]The moves are seen as an attempt by the politicians to redeem their political image following their losses in the primaries and discontent among the party’s rank and file.[/li][/ul]
Mr Sossion has announced he will campaign for Deputy President William Ruto for the presidency, while Mrs Korir met the DP on Wednesday and pledged her allegiance to UDA, in what was seen as a quest for political survival by the two politicians.
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Bomet Woman Representative Joyce Korir (left), Senator Christopher Langat (centre) and Bomet Gubernatorial aspirant Dr John Mosonik addressing journalists
Mrs Korir and her Kericho counterpart Mrs Florence Bore, who also lost the nominations to Ms Beatrice Kemei, met with the Deputy President at his office in Karen, Nairobi, and pledged to back their opponents who received UDA certificates ahead of the General Election.
The politicians making peace with the DP are said to be keen on appointments to various positions if he wins the presidency and succeeds President Uhuru Kenyatta in the General Election.
But on the other hand…
Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis has ditched the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and will defend his seat as an independent candidate after losing in the party primaries to his predecessor Benjamin Cheboi.
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Kiptis said he made the decision after consulting with his supporters.
Announcing the decision on Wednesday, he said the April 14 nominations were marred by irregularities and were not free and fair.
The governor was eyeing the UDA ticket with four others – former Wildlife principal secretary Fred Segor, Eldama Ravine MP Moses Lessonet and Robert Chelagat.
[SIZE=6]Cheboi’s comeback[/SIZE]
Mr Cheboi made a political comeback after garnering 45,666 votes, followed by Lessonet (30,588) and Governor Kiptis (25,976). Mr Segor had 16,362 votes and Mr Chelagat 6,056.
Governor Kiptis, a former Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Eldama Ravine branch secretary-general, succeeded Mr Cheboi in 2017 after trouncing him in the Jubilee primaries.
In what seemed like a protest vote at the time, he won by a landslide, garnering more than 65,589 votes against Mr Cheboi’s 21,388.
[SIZE=6]Irregularities[/SIZE]
On Wednesday, the county boss convened a press conference at his Kabarnet residence and claimed that many residents, especially in the far-flung areas, did not vote in the primaries. He also alleged that ballot papers were filled out by individuals in favour of one of the aspirants.
“You all know what happened during the party nominations and I am worried that a majority of the electorate did not exercise their democratic right because [voting] was marred by a lot of irregularities,” Mr Kiptis said.
He cited Tiaty East and Tiaty West as some of the areas where ballot papers were allegedly filled out in favour of one of the aspirants and stuffed into the boxes in the bushes that did not reach polling centres.