UDM factions hold parallel city meetings

The United Democratic Movement on Wednesday held two parallel meetings in Nairobi as internal differences over the control of the party ahead of next year’s elections deepened.

While Mogotio MP Hellen Sambili, the only MP elected on a UDM ticket, party interim chairman Joseph Chirchir and secretary general Martin Kamwaro presided over a National Executive Council meeting at a hotel along Dennis Prit road in Nairobi, Eldoret North MP William Ruto attended a delegates meeting at Nyayo Stadium.

Sources told the Nation the NEC meeting was hurriedly convened to counter the delegates one at Nyayo stadium following Mr Chirchir’s group failure to call for the party’s election to pave way for leaders allied to Mr Ruto to take over the leadership positions.

Mr Chirchir’s group want to maintain full control of the party and have resisted efforts to replace them.

Mr Ruto’s supporters are said to have resolved to ignore hurdles facing them and move on with the party’s preparation for next year’s elections.

Mr Chirchir denied there was a leadership row in UDM.

The chairman said the Nyayo meeting was convened by UDM youth chairman a Mr Majembe to look at ways of expanding the party and had the blessings of the NEC.

Prof Sambili said the NEC meeting was not an impromptu since it had been planned since December 8.

Mr Chirchir said although Mr Ruto is a front-runner and is aggressively marketing UDM, other presidential candidates were welcomed to lock it out for the presidential seat.

Mr Ruto said UDM is likely to hold its polls early next year and that he would move to all counties to market the party.

Mr Ruto who is in a loose alliance dubbed the G7 alliance was flanked by assistant minister Kazungu Kambi, Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, Dujis MP Aden Duale and Nairobi politician Stanley Livondo.