Ruto steps into UDA's Hustler Plaza for a routine visit

President William Ruto on Tuesday evening visited the UDA party headquarters at Hustler Plaza in what the party said was a routine visit.

The party said the President, also the UDA party leader, was there to hold a meeting with the Secretariat ahead of the planned grassroots elections scheduled for December 2023.

"The President was received by the party chairperson Governor Cecily Mbarire, UDA Vice Chair, Senator Omar Hassan, Secretary General Senator Cleophas Malalah and Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi," the party said in a statement.

Other leaders present were National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, his Senate counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot, Senator Samson Cherargei (Nandi) and Reuben Kiborek (Mogotio constituency).

The President has in recent days appeared to be on a mission to put the UDA house in order ahead of the anticipated grassroots polls just four months away. 

Some quarters also view it as part of the President's strategy to tighten his grip on the ruling party ahead of renewed rivalry at the ballot with the Azimio in the 2027 general elections.

Two days ago on September 9, Ruto opened the UDA regional office in Nyeri town, the first to be opened by the party leader.

During the event which was also graced by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Ruto said the grassroots elections will usher in a new crop of leadership to make the party more vibrant.

He said the polls will eradicate ethnic politics and entrench democracy in the UDA as a national party.

 "This is the party that runs the government and that is why I'm announcing here in Nyeri to all members across the country that the elections will be held in December," he said.

"We will announce the timetable for the elections. We want to eradicate tribalism and ethnicity from the party and make this a national party that reflects leaders from all parts of Kenya. We want to unite the country," Ruto added.

Some of the UDA party officials, including the SG, are in office on an interim basis. 

On Friday, September 8, Malala said a group of Persons with Disabilities, would formally defect to the United Democratic Alliance party.

He said the defectors would comprise those ditching the Orange Democratic Movement party and the Wiper Democratic Movement. 

He said this was part of UDA's aggressive strategy aimed at bringing on board key sectors as it moves to consolidate itself ahead of the 2027 polls.

"UDA is growing every day and we welcome Kenyans who want to join the county's biggest political formation," he said.