Nairobi UDA Elections in Limbo as Ruto, Gachagua Push for Negotiated Deal Amid Divisions

 

President William Ruto moves to settle division in the party

President William Ruto has moved to quell the divisions in Nairobi county over the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party elections. President William Ruto chaired the UDA party NEC meeting at State House Nairobi. What role will Gachagua play in Nairobi UDA's poll? On Saturday, June 8, Ruto chaired a UDA National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, where a raft of decisions were made on the ongoing party elections.  Following the crisis meeting, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was directed to resolve the ongoing impasse over the UDA elections in Nairobi county. Ruto directed Gachagua to lead negotiations between two opposing groups to reach a political settlement. "On Nairobi where two camps are at loggerheads on the process of elections, Ruto directed Deputy President to lead in negotiations that will lead to a political settlement. Nairobi's polls can be held on the same day as the other two counties," a statement by UDA read. The latest development comes after the National Election Board (NEB) indefinitely postponed the elections, which had been slated for June 10. In Nairobi, two camps have emerged, one led by Governor Johnson Sakaja and the other by Embakasi North MP James Gakuya. Why is James Gakuya planning to quit UDA? The latest development comes after Gakuya threatened to quit UDA if he loses the party elections. Speaking on Kameme FM on Tuesday, June 4, Gakuya vowed to lead the defection from UDA if he loses the Nairobi chairmanship. Gakuya, a close ally of the deputy president, said his camp would form a new political formation and chart a path away from Ruto’s UDA. He claimed UDA was increasingly becoming hostile following the emergence of a camp opposed to Gachagua's push to unite the Mt. Kenya region. 

by  Amos Khaemba