DP Ruto's UDA party announces 50 per cent nomination fee waiver for women, youth

The United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) National Elections Board has announced a 50 per cent nomination fee waiver to all women and youth members eyeing elective seats in the August polls.

According to Chairman, Antony Mwaura, the board set nomination fee guidelines for all categories with special consideration on special interest groups such as women and youth.

“The board has waived nomination fees for all persons living with disabilities vying for positions within the party and approved a 50 per cent waiver for women and youth aspirants,” Mwaura said at a presser in Naivasha on Saturday.

This came as it emerged that the party, led by Deputy President William Ruto, will hold its nominations in April after the new board was officially inaugurated. 

While announcing that there would be no special aspirants in the party’s planned nominations, Mwaura reassured members that the exercise would be free and fair.

He also dismissed fears that certain persons would receive direct nominations citing that it was up to ‘Wanjiku’ to pick their best candidates.

“The party does not have any preferred candidate and all aspirants starting from the top to the lowest will have to undergo through the set nominations,” said Mwaura.

While calling for peaceful coexistence and campaigns, Mwaura urged UDA supporters to maintain decorum in their engagement and respect their competitors.

“The board has taken note of the IEBC gazette timelines and the just concluded amended Political Party’s amendment Bill of 2021 and shall issue further notice to the aspirants,” he stated.

On her part, UDA Secretary General Veronica Maina said that they were holding a three-day strategic meeting with the board so as to come up with the rules and regulations ahead of the planned nomination exercise.

“The party’s national election board has been officially inaugurated and it’s keen to make sure that the nominations will be free and fair as we don’t have a preferred candidate,” she said.