UDA aspirants in Uasin Gishu, citing massive irregularities, demand repeat nominations

Aspirants in Uasin Gishu County who were defeated in the recently concluded United Democratic Alliance (UDA) primaries have demanded a re-run, claiming that the process was marred by massive irregularities.

On Sunday, the aspirants led their supporters to protest at the UDA offices in Eldoret, claiming that a few leaders who were declared winners did not legitimately obtain the tickets.

Five candidates for the Turbo MP ticket, led by Willy Korir and David Songok, claimed that area MP Janet Sitienei did not win the primaries fairly, and that voting was halted in some polling stations because ballot boxes were burned.

"The nomination exercise we conducted was shambolic, they were not credible and there was alot of voter manipulation and we call upon the party for a repeat of the nominations in the entire constituency because some votes from other words were burnt," they said.

Juluis Bitok, a Uasin Gishu gubernatorial aspirant, stated that the winners of the respective positions were already determined and that many candidates were favored.

"We reject the results because we believe the nominations were rigged in favor of several candidates. We are aware of many malpractices and we say that the results of this elections were predetermined much earlier even before the nominations," said Bitok.

" We want to call upon the party and say that we are not going to be intimidated, we will not accept any negotiations, we want free fair and credible nominations in Uasing Gishu county." 

The aspirants have threatened unspecified action if UDA ignores their cry.

Meanwhile, the UDA's National Elections Board (NEB) said in a statement on Saturday that the party had also made plans to resolve any disputes that arose from the election on Thursday, April 14.

Board chair Anthony Mwaura said repeat elections for MP aspirants shall be conducted in Nakuru Town West & Rongai Constituencies in Nakuru County, Mt Elgon in Bungoma, Turkana East & Turkana West in Turkana, as well as Moiben in Uasin Gishu.

Successful candidates in the William Ruto-led party are expected to be presented with the final nomination certificates from April 23 to April 25