'I don't succumb to pressure,' Sakaja says as he denies calls to step down from UDA Nairobi elections

This comes after reports intimated that the governor was asked to drop from the race by some of the party's officials, a claim he has also confirmed he is privy to.

During an interview on Thursday morning, Sakaja maintained that he is still in the race and he shall not succumb to pressure.

"I'm not a leader who succumbs to pressure. If there was pressure I would not have been governor of Nairobi and I don't know where they assume it is coming from... I have heard the rumours," he said speaking to Inooro TV.

"There is no such thing. What I have said as a leader in this city I want a united party and we'll make sure that we have a united party and everyone in Nairobi should come to the field we face each other so that we can create a strong party."

Governor Sakaja made his candidature public on April 19 during a meeting with UDA Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

"I want you to get this from the horse's mouth; I'm vying for Nairobi chairmanship position in the United Democratic Alliance party," Sakaja said then.

The MCAs assured the governor of their support ahead of the party's nationwide grassroots elections set to start on April 26 and end on August 24.

Counties of Nairobi, Narok, West-Pokot, Busia, Homabay, Isiolo and Garissa will be the first to undertake the exercise in the first phase.

The second phase scheduled for June 22 will be undertaken in Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Nyandarua, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Kisii, Bungoma, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Wajir, Tana River, Kwale and Marsabit.

On August 10 counties of Kiambu, Embu, Kericho, Meru, Migori, Kakamega, Nyamira, Kitui, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, Kajiado, Mandera, Kilifi, Murang’a and Lamu will have their elections.

Nakuru, Bomet, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nandi, Baringo, Turkana, Laikipia, Trans-Nzoia, Kisumu, Vihiga and Makueni will take part in the last phase on August 24.

Anthony Mwaura has been appointed as the National Elections Board (NEB) chairperson and Veronica Kiberenge as Vice Chairperson.

Other appointed members include Lydia Munika, Jimmy Kaingi, Mary Mutinga, Halake Dida, and Linda Kiome.

The elections will also be conducted digitally, according to UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala.