President Ruto Chairs UDA Party NEC Meeting, Directs Transparent Party Elections
In a significant move aimed at ensuring transparency and fairness in the ongoing party elections, President William Ruto chaired a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party. The meeting, held at State House, saw a series of decisions made regarding the ongoing party polls.
During the meeting, the National Election Board (NEB) briefed the President and other NEC members on the progress of the ongoing elections. President Ruto, in his capacity as the party leader, expressed his approval of the transparency of the polls.
In a directive aimed at upholding the rule of law, President Ruto instructed the NEB Chairman, Eng. Anthony Mwaura, to proceed with the county-level elections in Homabay and Busia counties, where constituency polls were not contested.
However, the President ordered the suspension of elections in Narok and West Pokot, where disputes are currently being litigated in court. He emphasized the importance of respecting court orders, stating, “Where the courts have issued orders stopping the election, we have to postpone.”
Addressing the contentious issue of elections in Nairobi, President Ruto delegated Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to lead negotiations aimed at achieving a political settlement between the two conflicting camps. He suggested that Nairobi’s polls could be held simultaneously with those in Homabay and Busia counties.
Moreover, the NEC resolved the long-standing issue of the composition of the National Delegates Conference (NDC). The formula adopted by the NEC entails sharing delegates based on the presidential vote each county returned to the UDA presidential candidate in the 2022 elections. Counties that garnered over 50 percent will produce 20 delegates each, while others will share the remaining slots on a pro-rata basis.
President Ruto also authorized the NEB to proceed with phase two elections in 13 counties, signaling the party’s commitment to completing the electoral process expeditiously.
The Deputy Party Leader, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, along with other NEC members, were present at the meeting, underscoring the collective effort towards ensuring a transparent and inclusive electoral process within the UDA party.