University of Nairobi lecturer and political analyst Herman Manyora has cautioned political aspirants seeking election in Mt Kenya region against vying on a UDA party ticket.
Through his popular political opinion channel, Manyora argues that UDA, which is affiliated to deputy president William Ruto is not selling in Mt Kenya region and that the narrative come elections will be UDA is a Kalenjin party.
“If you’re from Mt Kenya, especially Central province where Uhuru comes from, prepare yourself for defeat if you run on a UDA ticket”, he said.
Manyora pointed out the need for DP Ruto to form coalitions with regional parties in the area, even as leaders such as Moses Kuria, Mwangi Kiunjuri, Mwangi wa Iria, Justin Muturi and Kiraitu Murungi drummed up support for their own parties.
In recent past, Moses Kuria ruled out possibilities of folding his party, Chama Cha Kazi (CCK), to join UDA saying he would work with Ruto on condition he is allowed to operate his own party.
The Service Party (TSP) leader Mwangi Kiunjuri has also in many occasions accused Ruto of refusing to accommodate regional parties.
Other parties launched include Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) by Kiraitu Murungi and Usawa Kwa Wote party by Mwangi wa Iria who promised to unite Mt Kenya Votes ahead of the polls.
Kiraitu on his part hinted that the launch of DEP roots for the formation of coalitions to boost chances of forming government after the polls.
DP Ruto, in an interview with Citizen TV defended himself saying he did not ask Mwangi Kiunjuri and Moses Kuria to fold their parties and join UDA and that he was focused on building UDA as a national party.
“If you ask Moses Kuria and Mwangi Kiunjuri, they will tell you I have never told anyone to disband their party for UDA…. I do not have a problem forming a coalition with any party…. What I am opposed to is someone telling me not to promote UDA in their region”- DP William Ruto.
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