Kiambu County: UDA aspirants upbeat ahead of party nominations
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party aspirants for various seats in Kiambu County are optimistic that the nomination process will be free and fair as the exercise kicks off today.
The hopefuls told journalists that arrangements had been made including delivery of ballot papers at the constituency level, training of clerks and security organization.
According to them, the exercise that will be overseen by at least 300 international observers will start as early as 6:00 am until 5:00 pm.
Led by Patrick Wainaina, who will be seeking the UDA ticket to vie for the governor's position against senator Kimani Wamatangi and former governor Ferdinand Waititu, the aspirants vowed to exercise restraint and uphold peace in the entire process.
While vowing to thwart attempts by rival parties to infiltrate the exercise in an alleged scheme to have UDA produce weak candidates, the aspirants urged nomination losers to support the winners to not only build the party but also ensure the party bags the seat.
"It will be foolhardy and an exercise in futility for non-party members to try to interfere with UDA nominations. Whoever has such intentions should keep off and let our supporters exercise their democratic rights," said Wainaina while addressing his agents from Thika, Gatundu South and Gatundu North constituencies.
Wainaina and former Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a who is opposed to the constituency's party ticket stated that the Deputy President William Ruto-led party will offer other government positions to the losers who will agree to support the winners.
In Juja where over 60,000 voters are expected to determine who between Professor Joseph Kang’ethe and incumbent MP George Koimburi, plans had been made including organizing public primary schools where the exercise will take place.
Kang’ethe who spoke after inspecting preparations at St Francis Muigai Primary expressed confidence that the exercise will be free and fair.
Kang’ethe who is hopeful of beating Koimburi owing to his community work including providing residents with water and enhancing education told losers to remain loyal to the party whose policies, he said are ideal for the economic development of the country.
“We have talked to the returning officer both at the constituency and county level and they have assured us that the exercise will be free and fair. All mechanisms, infrastructure and processes have been finalized ahead of the exercise,” said Kang’ethe.
According to Ms Ng’ang’a who will be seeking to recapture the Thika town MP position on the UDA ticket, enough police officers have been set and notified to man the exercise that will be conducted in 36 counties in a bid to clear candidates to vie for Governors, Senators, Woman Representative, MPs and MCAs seats.
Ng’ang’a who stated that losers in the exercise will be accorded government positions urged all eligible voters to come out in big numbers and exercise their democratic duty of voting for the leaders of their choice.
All members registered with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) are set to participate in the party’s nomination exercise.
Voting materials had been delivered to the various polling centres in Thika, Juja, Ruiru and other areas by the time of going to press.
