Ruto’s UDA now plans fresh round of grassroots elections in April

President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has scheduled elections at the county level for April this year following the exit of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua whom party officials accuse of rocking the boat from within. 

UDA’s Secretary General Hassan Omar, in an interview with Nation.Africa, said the party has already put in place a series of activities including meeting delegates at the county-level to popularise the party and identifying specific locations to launch its party offices. 

“As a party we are preparing for the elections and we have already put it at a tentative date of April this year. The activities we are carrying out including the launch of the party offices is part of a bigger strategy for the party to be united to gain a footprint in every location across the country,” Mr Omar told Nation.Africa. 

Mr Omar was speaking after a party meeting in Mandera where they also opened the county office. He was accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo and Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana. 

Others were Saku MP Dido Rasso, Garissa Town MP Maj. Dekow Barrow, Abdisirat Khalifa, Hon Feisal Bader (Msambweni), Mohammed Abdikher (Nominated),Mohammed Sheikh, among other leaders.

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Unlike the previous party elections that were marked by political rivalries among party officials, Mr Omar said that the upcoming election will be seeking to have in place officials who have an understanding of the party principles and those willing to inform the people regarding the government achievements for the past few years. 

“We did not really have chaos in our previous elections. What happened is that we had people who were trying to fight from within but since they are now gone, we have put in place mechanisms to ensure a peaceful prices where those elected will be agents of the party and uphold the party ideals,” he said. 

On Saturday, Mr Omar led a section of party officials in the unveiling of party offices in Mandera where he accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of causing divisions in the country. 

“You cannot go around the country promoting tribalism and unnecessary divisions and expect to win the masses. Your time is coming and we are going to unmask you soon so that the people can know who you really are,” he said. 

The UDA Secretary General has also ruled out any mergers with opposition leader Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) insisting that both parties are working together as partners who believe in the unity of the country. 

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“We are working as partners and we have not yet talked about merging. ODM has been involved in the liberation struggle in this country and we want to join in supporting the government in delivering its agenda,” he said. 

Mr Omar also hinted at talks with other political parties to create a unified force ahead of the 2027 elections. 

The upcoming election comes after the party recently merged with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress (ANC). Mr Omar said the party is in the process of finalising its constitution to accommodate the new allies. 

Last year in June, the party postponed its elections in several counties due to the infighting among the different factions within the party.

In Nairobi county for instance, the election was postponed after those allied to Embakasi Central MP James Gakuya and those allied to Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja protested at the party offices. 

Mr Gakuya at the time enjoyed the backing of Mr Gachagua for the Nairobi county chairmanship position. Pockets of violence were also experienced in the counties of Kericho and Nakuru.