Gachagua holds talks with UDA officials ahead of grassroot elections

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday held talks with the leadership of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ahead of planned grassroots elections.

The meeting came a week after President William Ruto and Gachagua held a meeting of the UDA National Steering Committee(NSC) which unveiled the roadmap to the party's grassroots polls.

Tuesday's meeting was a follow-up of the party's plans to hold phased-out elections in select counties from this month ahead of county and national level elections later in the year.

Gachagua said the meeting was founded on consultative and collaborative engagements geared at strengthening the party and solidifying the resolve to fully implement the UDA Manifesto.

"This evening, at the Official Residence in Karen, I held a consultative meeting with top UDA officials on the progress of party activities and programmes," Gachagua posted on his X account.

Present were party Chairperson Cecily Mbarire, Secretary General Cleophas Malala, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw'ah, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Vice-Chairperson Hassan Omar, Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi among other senior party officials.

The UDA NSC last week agreed to stagger its elections in four phases and named a new national elections board to spearhead the exercise.

UDA's first phase election will take place on April 26, 2024, in seven counties.

They include Nairobi, Narok, West-Pokot, Busia, Homabay, Isiolo and Garissa.

UDA will hold the second phase of its grassroots election on June 22, 2024, in 13 counties namely; Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Nyandarua, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Kisii, Bungoma, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Wajir, Tana River, Kwale and Marsabit.

For the third phase, the elections will be in the following 15 counties on August 10, 2024; Kiambu, Embu, Kericho, Meru, Migori, Kakamega, Nyamira, Kitui, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, Kajiado, Mandera, Kilifi, Murang’a and Lamu.

The last phase will take place on August 24, 2024 in 12 counties.

The counties to participate are Nakuru, Bomet, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nandi, Baringo, Turkana, Laikipia, Trans-Nzoia, Kisumu, Vihiga and Makueni