Ruto, Gachagua Camps Emerge in UDA Ahead of Party Elections

President William Ruto has called for an urgent crisis meeting in response to the potential division within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the upcoming grassroots elections.

There are factions forming in support of either President Ruto or Deputy Rigathi Gachagua ahead of the December 9 elections and some leaders are proposing to push back the date. The UDA National Steering and Management Committee headed by Mr Gachagua recently met to discuss the possibility of postponing the vote, while President Ruto plans to chair another gathering in early November to make the final decision. At a UDA National Women Congress event attended by Gachagua, the postponement was suggested, and it appears that one group is backing Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro for the role of Secretary-General.

Mr Nyoro, a close ally of Dr Ruto, has not yet responded to the inquiry regarding his intentions to run for the seat. During a press conference held at the party's headquarters yesterday, SG Cleophas Malala addressed concerns about conflict within the party. Dismissing these reports, Mr Malala stated that a scheduled meeting chaired by Dr Ruto will ultimately decide whether to postpone the elections as requested by UDA women leaders. He confirmed that the elections are set to take place on December 9. Mr Malala emphasized that every effort is being made to ensure that the elections are conducted in a manner that is fair, transparent, and credible.

President Ruto is presented with the difficult task of reconciling conflicting political agendas in the Mt Kenya region, especially when it comes to Mr Gachagua's push to promote his own devotees to party offices via the upcoming local election. This recruitment drive matches Mr Gachagua's ambition to assume leadership when President Ruto's term lapses. Kilifi North MP and National Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya sees democracy gains in conducting the election, acknowledging that there will never be a time that is convenient for everyone.