UDA refutes Ngirici’s claims on summons
UDA Secretary General Veronica Maina addresses journalists at a press conference in Nairobi.
Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has rejected claims by Kirinyaga Woman Representative Purity Ngirici that she was nudged to give up her gubernatorial ambitions.
Ms Ngirici, who was an avid campaigner for the DP, said on Wednesday that she would vie for the county’s top seat as an independent candidate, ditching UDA, of which she was a pioneer member.
She alleged that party officials had requested her to step down for Governor Anne Waiguru and contest the Mwea parliamentary seat.
Ms Ngirici alleged that she was summoned to the UDA headquarters in Nairobi and told to step down for Ms Waiguru.
"When I appeared at the headquarters, the officials tried to convince me to give up my gubernatorial ambitions and vie for the Mwea parliamentary seat on a UDA ticket. I refused, as they were determined to kill my dream," she charged.
She warned that political thuggery could be witnessed in UDA primaries and asked those supporting the party to watch out.
"If UDA officials are telling me to vie for a junior seat, do you expect nominations to be free and fair?" she posed.
Deputy President William Ruto, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru and Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici attend a church service at All Saints ACK Kianyaga in Kirinyaga County on November 28, 2021.
But UDA secretary-general Veronica Maina on Thursday downplayed Ms Ngirici’s claims, saying that the party had not summoned anyone to its headquarters.
“We have not summoned any aspirant to the headquarters. Our party does not believe in undemocratic summoning processes,” Ms Maina told the Nation.
Free and fair nominations
She assured those interested in UDA tickets that the party will not favour anyone, adding that no one will be asked to step down for another person and underscoring that the electorate will have a big say in the primaries.
“The UDA party is committed to conducting free and fair nominations,” she said.
Ms Ngirici and Ms Waiguru would have had to fight it out for the UDA ticket in the primaries.
In an apparent attack on Governor Waiguru, who has been seen with Dr Ruto at public rallies in and outside the Mt Kenya region, Ms Ngirici had said the DP needed votes and not companions at political meetings.
"The time to take photos is up. It is time to deliver the votes to Dr Ruto. I choose to retreat and consolidate Kirinyaga votes and that is the value that the DP is looking for in UDA," Ms Ngirici said on her Facebook page.
She added: "I would liken politics to a game of chess. When your opponent makes a move, you don't rush to make yours. You study the game carefully so that your next move is to give a checkmate to your opponent."
Murang'a Senator Irungu Kang'ata, who was removed as Senate majority whip earlier this year for associating with the DP, recently admitted that internal squabbles were rocking UDA across the country but argued that the infighting was helping make the party stronger.
"The fights are expected in a popular party. This push and pull is very healthy for intra-party democracy. The party cherishes … founder members as they struggled in the journey. But it is not a closed party and hence it welcomes everyone," Dr Kang'ata told the Nation.
He said the only solution to the infighting in Dr Ruto's party is conducting free, fair and transparent nominations.
"The panacea is free and fair nominations. Their reaction is understandable. But UDA has to remain open and democratic for it to grow," he said.
