UDA delegates from Nairobi have rejected a directive by President William Ruto for a consensus in the party’s elections in the county.
The delegates, led by Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, instead are calling for a secret ballot in the hotly disputed elections terming the electronic system as open to manipulation.
Over the weekend, the ruling party National Executive Committee suspended ongoing elections in three counties including Nairobi.
Following the move, President Ruto directed DP Rigathi Gachagua to hold negotiations between two splinter groups led by Gakuya and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
However, the Gakuya camp was breathing fire saying voters should be allowed to exercise their democratic right without interference.
Speaking in Naivasha where over 200 delegates have been camping, Gakuya exuded confidence of getting the seat in the City despite pressure from unnamed quarters.
“Some people have called for consensus in coming up with the county leadership and we are opposed to this as we want the voters to be given a chance to elect their leaders,” he said.
He said they are ready for secret balloting in the elections which would be conducted by 340 delegates from Nairobi.
“If need be, we are ready to bear the cost of printing the voting materials so that Nairobi people can get a chance to elect their officials,” he said.
Addressing the press after a six-day delegates meeting to lobby for their support, Gakuya rubbished the electronic process that has been in use in the elections, saying it was likely to be manipulated.
He challenged the party’s elections board to heed to their request, as they waited for court ruling following a petition.
At the same time, he appealed to the party tribunal to take up the matter and solve the petition tabled before court saying it could derail the elections.
Former nominated senator Millicent Omanga supported calls by Gakuya for a secret ballot mode of voting.
She read mischief in the postponement of the party elections saying that this could be a plan to sway delegates from supporting Gakuya.
Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda said she was optimistic that there are 248 delegates backing Gakuya, adding that they were sure he would clinch the chairmanship.
She called on National Elections Board chairperson Antony Mwaura to ensure transparency in the process, pointing to the secret ballot as the way.