Factional Tensions Rise in UDA Nairobi Branch Amid Grassroots Elections
Two competing factions have emerged within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Nairobi branch as the ruling party conducts grassroots elections nationwide.
One faction supporting Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja claims victory in the recent ward elections. Sakaja is running for the Nairobi UDA chairman position.
Following successful elections on Friday, Sakaja asserted that his allies secured 240 out of 340 delegate positions.
In contrast, there has been no response from Embakasi North MP James Gakuya’s camp, who is also contesting for the UDA chairmanship.
During a delegates’ meeting at the Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday, Sakaja accused his rival, Gakuya, of being a puppet for a senior party official.
Sakaja congratulated his supporters for their ward-level victories and emphasized the importance of unity.
He urged his followers to rally support for their team in the upcoming ward elections and the final chairperson’s vote.
“We will not be divided by tribal politics; we will pursue unity for a better Nairobi,” Sakaja stated.
However, Gakuya accused Sakaja of using thugs to disrupt the peaceful election in the Starehe Constituency, which the party postponed.
Nairobi South MCA Waithera Chege, a Gakuya supporter, insisted that Gakuya would win the final vote.
“Governor Sakaja must accept that Mr. Gakuya is the Nairobi County chairman because the numbers don’t lie,” Chege asserted.
She also accused some voters of using others’ identification cards to cast ballots.
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“Police officers in civilian clothes were voting in Starehe. Sakaja has disrupted the county assembly and now Starehe. It’s time he accepted that UDA members in Nairobi have had enough,” Chege said.
Attempts to reach Gakuya for comment were unsuccessful.
Addressing his delegates last Wednesday, Sakaja accused his opponents of promoting ethnic politics.
The governor also criticized the Deputy President for fueling infighting within the UDA, led by President William Ruto.
The ongoing conflict between the DP and Sakaja has delayed some of Sakaja’s development plans.
Sakaja dismissed claims that he was handed the Nairobi governor’s seat without merit, asserting that he was duly elected by Nairobi residents.
He reiterated that his opponent, Gakuya, is merely a project.
“Let me tell you this, the one I’m competing with is not a candidate. He is a project,” Sakaja told UDA ward delegates at Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday.
Factional Tensions Rise in UDA Nairobi Branch Amid Grassroots Elections