UDA convention to endorse Ruto as flag-bearer
Deputy President William Ruto will be officially endorsed the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential candidate during the party’s National Delegates Convention this morning.
The convention will be held at the Kasarani Indoor Arena and delegates are expected to endorse the deputy president as its presidential candidate in the August polls.
A notice issued by the party secretary-general Veronica Maina read in parts, “According to article 6, 2 (iv) Article 31.1 (i) and Article 31.2 of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) constitution, the UDA National Delegates convention will be held on Tuesday, March 15, at Kasarani Indoor Arena from 10 am.”
The delegates are expected to approve the coalition agreement with the affiliate partners and this will allow the party leader to reach out to others by signing a post or pre-election agreement.
The endorsement to vie on the UDA ticket will mark the end of Ruto’s association with the Jubilee party that propelled him to the position. He has already been replaced as the Jubilee deputy leader by Jimmy Angwenyi.
Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki said other Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties, Amani National Congress (ANC) and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula will grace the event. He also hinted that Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, who has been a principal in the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) would also grace the event.
He said; “We have invited many friends including our partners from the ANC, Ford Kenya and Martha Karua.”
Karua was not immediately available to comment on the matter. Moses Kuria of the Chama Cha Kazi is also expected to attend and formally join the Kazi Kwanza coalition.
“This will be a formal meeting where the over 5,000 will endorse our presidential candidate, it will not be a political rally,” Kindiki told a press conference at the Kasarani Indoor Arena. We don’t want to overdramatise the meeting but what I can tell you is that there will be many guests attending.”
Karua was at the weekend missing when the other OKA affiliates signed to join the Azimio la Umoja. She has declared her interest to vie for the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat under her party ticket.
Her attendance during the UDA parley will be significant and a game-changer for the Kirinyaga politics where she will be battling out with Governor Ann Waiguru.
