NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 29 — President William Ruto has told members of the ruling UDA party eyeing different slots to prepare for grassroots elections slated for December with no expectation of his backing.
Ruto, Leader of the governing party, told the National Governing Council (NGC) that those who aspire to lead the party must win the support of its membership.
The President promised free and fair elections will only registered party members will elect officials in their respective wards, constituencies and counties.
“For us to build strong party we must involve people membership of this party,” he said at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi on Friday.
The polls slated for December will pave way for national elections where they party will pick office bearers to take over from interim officials.
“We want to create a party united and that will help everyone free from tribalism, religion or friendship,” he said.
The president said he is a strong believer in a strong national party.
15mn membership target
UDA membership stands at 7.5 million members up from an initial of 54. The ruling party is targeting to increase its membership to 15 million by 2027.
“Let us all create an open united party where everyone is listened and can contribute,” Ruto asserted.
President Ruto called for a sober approach when calling for the affiliate parties of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance to join UDA as he revealed plans to pursue a merger.
“It is good if affiliate Kenya kwanza parties joins UDA Party but if they feel otherwise, we shall agree on how to work together. It’s not a must they break their parties they have rights to decide what to do,” he said.
He said partner parties in Kenya Kwanza will decide on their own whether they will wind up and join UDA or remain independent.
“Some will decide to join us; there’s no need of dictatorship. Let us convince them [SO THAT] we build a large national party,” Ruto said.
“We want to build a foundation of a strong national party,we have been divided by tribal parties,” he added.
To build a formidable party, the president urged leaders to make timely contribution to the party’s kitty to support smooth operations.
He further urged leaders to purchase land and construct offices in their areas through fundraisers even as the party reveled plans to acquire official national headquarters.
Ruto: Gender crusader
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua expressed confidence in President Ruto’s ability to lead the party to greater heights.
“We have the strongest foundation in UDA. Our structures are sound and the leadership under our Party Leader, focused.”
“No more shall we operate as underdogs, for we are the majority in both Houses of Parliament as well as county assemblies,” Gachagua said.
“MCAs remain UDA Party’s first line of implementation of the Bottom Up Transformative Agenda, BETA. They should help legislate laws that complement the Bottom Up Spirit envisaged in our Manifesto.”
UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malalah said described the party’s growth as commendable.
“We take pride in being the largest political party in the country,” he said
The NGC endorsed amendments to Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the UDA constitution paving way for countrywide grassroots elections on December 9.
President said plans were underway to facilitate financial independence for county assemblies and activate a pension scheme for its members.
Party Chairperson Governor Cecily Mbarire (Embu) lauded Ruto’s commitment to promoting gender parity.
“As UDA fraternity, inclusivity remains our mantra. This is the first political Party to produce a record four female Governors in the history of our Country,” Mabarire said.
“This is evidence enough of our Party’s belief in the ability of women,women have every reason to belong and propagate the ideologies of UDA,” she added.
Party Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi lauded subscribed members for making timely contributions saying Sh127.6 million realized through subscriptions had been set aside for acquisition of party headquarters.
“The Party Secretariat has not touched even a cent of the member’s remittances and instead, plans to use that money to invest in assets for the Party,” he said.
