Why UDA pulled out of Juja by-election
By People Team, March 16, 2021
The abrupt withdrawal of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party from the Juja by-election has thrown aspirants into disarray and significantly changed the election arithmetic, making the crowded contest even more unpredictable.
Yesterday, UDA Secretary General Veronica Maina confirmed that the party associated with Deputy President William Ruto will not be fielding a candidate in the mini-poll occasioned by the death of Francis Munyua Waititu ‘Wakapee.’
“We are officially out of the race. That means we will not be fielding any candidate,” Maina confirmed without giving reasons for the decision.
The party had already attracted hopefuls, among them Ken Gachuma, a former NG-CDF chairman for the vast constituency, Eunice Mugo, a relative of former Ruiru mayor Wilson Mugo and Zack Wang’ombe.
Next move While Gachuma is considering vying as an Independent candidate, Mugo has commenced her campaigns on The New Democrats party while Wang’ombe is yet to declare his next move.
Ms Mugo told journalists that UDA left the race to avoid competition with President Uhuru Kenyatta who enjoys a huge following in the constituency.
At the same time, Ms Mugo, a newcomer in the race, told UDA to either support their bid on different parties or returns their money, since they had overspent on production of posters and other campaign materials.
“While the party did not want to engage in a fight with the President, our only concern is that we have spent so much already,” she said.
Candidates formerly seeking Jubilee party candidature have also started decamping leaving fewer hopefuls salivating for the ruling party’s ticket.
George Koimburi, a former contender of Jubilee Party ticket confirmed that he had left Jubilee for Peoples Empowerment Party.