The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party is now working on ways to address the rising threat that independent candidates pose to them in its political bedrock – North Rift.
With the August 9 poll just about two months away, there have been concerns over the high number of candidates vying on an independent ticket in the region, especially Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Elgeyo Marakwet.
Some of the aspirants stand an equal chance of going head-to-head with the UDA nominees, a scenario the party is working round the clock to avert.
Speaking in Nandi County during an economic forum graced by Kenya Kwanza running mate Ragathi Gachagua, Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said within the next three weeks, there will be no independent candidates in the region.
It remains unclear how the party will approach the situation. However, there have been efforts to reach a consensus with the independent candidate who failed in UDA nominations to drop out of the seat in favor of the winners.
“Tumeamua kama Bonde la Ufa, hata hii maneno ya independent in another three weeks watu wote watakua Kenya Kwaya. Tunaenda kutafuta wale kondoo wamepotea,” Mandago said.
In Uasin Gishu, almost every seat has at least one independent candidate – three of who are incumbents, Moiben Member of Parliament Silas Tiren, Dr. Swarup Mishra (Kesses), and Ainabkoi’s Wiliam Chepkut.
There are also independent candidates in the governor seat, Senate, and parliamentary aspirants in Turbo, Soy, and Kapseret.
UDA politicians have branded independent candidates, as allied to Azimio, a tag Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen sought to clarify.
“Parliament is controlled by numbers and when we brand independent candidates as Azimio sympathizers, it is because when they remove our (UDA) numbers, it means the beneficiary is the enemy which is Azimio,” Murkomen said.
Meanwhile, efforts to have independent candidates in Rift Valley, drop out of various races in favor of UDA nominees continues, the latest one being Bomet Senator Dr. Christopher Langat.
Langat had opted to go independent after losing in UDA nominations, but Deputy President William Ruto on Monday, May 30, 2022, said he had agreed to drop his bid.
“UDA thanks Bomet Senator Dr Christopher Langat for choosing to end his independent candidature to support UDA after consultations. Dr Langat joins the national Presidential campaign team to help deliver a Hustler Nation victory on August 9,” DP Ruto posted on his official Twitter handle.
