- Offices of the Secretary-General and the branch party chair have continued to attract heavyweights, among them a former legislator.
- More others have shown interest in the treasurer and women's league positions as the campaigns heat up across the county.
Image: COURTESY
Candidates eyeing seats in the coming UDA party polls in Kisii have intensified their campaigns.
The United Democratic Alliance party polls in Kisii are slated for 22 June.
Offices of the Secretary-General and the branch party chair have continued to attract heavyweights, among them a former legislator.
More others have shown interest in the treasurer and women's league positions as the campaigns heat up across the county.
About three women have declared their interest, ready to square it out in a race that appears to be male-dominated.
Purity Kirera, one of the directors at Bomas of Kenya will be vying for the county chair seat alongside political veterans former Bobasi MP Stephen Manoti and Kitutu North politician Bosco Gichana.
The Star did not get Manoti on the phone to speak on his bid but Gichana spoke on plans to give new energy to the party.
He said his plan is to increase regional support up to 70 per cent from the 30 per cent President William Ruto garnered during the 2022 polls.
He further spoke of the need to inject vigor into party popularisation campaigns, especially at the grassroots.
“I will definitely confront propaganda against our party and try to paint the correct portrait away from the half-truths being spread all over by the rival parties,” Bosco told the Star by phone.
Image: MAGATI OBEBO
He further spoke of missed opportunities that if tapped could help the youth benefit from the government a great deal.
“Currently there is too much noise which blocks proper information flow. These are the things that must be righted when the party would be functioning properly under new officials,” he stated.
Gichana spoke of missed opportunities by the current crop of leaders in building bridges with candidates and officials who he alleged were left stranded after the 2022 general elections.
"There is disgruntlement and discontentment among these forgotten gallant soldiers who sweat it out in the trenches but have since been disappointed by the turn of the events. This should be brought to the president’s attention,” Gichana added.
The Secretary-General position, on the other hand, has attracted Darious Mosoti and vocal Masimba MCA Bouse Mairura.
Jeremiah Matoke who had vied for the Bomachoge Chache parliamentary seat in the last poll emerging second is also said to be eyeing the seat.
Only two had by Sunday shown interest for the treasurer seat as the campaign hot up.
On Friday, UDA national party treasurer who is also Kitutu Chache North MP Japhet Nyakundi said it is all systems go in the countdown to the polls.
“Everything is cut and dry and all we want as we walk down to the polls is a peaceful poll,” he told party members and officials who turned up in Keumbu in Nyaribari Chache Thursday.
Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda was optimistic that a peaceful poll would afford the party another opportunity to win during the general elections.
“We are doing everything with caution knowing too well that the people we shall put in office will bring victory. I urge that we elect people who have vision and the interests of the party at heart,” he told the Star by phone.