United Democratic Alliance (UDA) officials in Uasin Gishu County have hailed the recently concluded party primaries.
UDA held the nominations in at least 36 counties across the county, and officials in Uasin Gishu say the exercise was largely successful in the county.
Joseph Wainaina, the Uasin Gishu UDA patron admits that the nomination was not 100 percent perfect, but gave it an 80 percent success.
“The nomination might not have been 100 percent, but we did our best, and it was 80 percent successful best on the fact that we are a young party,” Wainaina told journalists at the Eldoret Sports Club.
He spoke during the issuance of final certificates to UDA candidates for the Member of County Assembly (MCA) seat from ten counties in the North Rift and Western region.
UDA Elections and Nominations Disputes Committee ordered for a repeat of the nomination exercise in only three seats in Uasin Gishu – Moiben Member of Parliament as well as Kimumu and Karuna/Meibeki Wards.
Wainaina said the success of the nomination exercise gives a strong foundation for the party going forward.
He noted that they want to build a party that will be around for a long time, not just for the upcoming general election.
Deputy President William Ruto is expected to use UDA in vying for the presidency.
“We want to build this party not for DP Ruto only but to make it be around in the next 50 to100 years. We are creating a party that will be around for a very long time, even forever if possible,” said the Uasin Gishu UDA patron.
He also expressed optimism that UDA will win a majority of elective seats up for grabs in the August 9 poll.
Wainaina further called on aspirants who lost in the nominations to back the winners so that they can form a strong team that will be assured of victory.
“The government is big. Those issued with certificates should now work on convincing those that have gone independent to drop their bids because there are many opportunities once we form a government like nominations among others,” he said.
A number of aspirants who lost during UDA nominations in Uasin Gishu have opted to vie as independent candidates, arguing that the process was not free and fair.
