The announcement of a winner in Ruiru Constituency, Kiambu County for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nominations did not materialise after some polling stations failed to conduct the nomination exercise over violence.

Although provisional results indicated that the incumbent MP Simon King’ara was leading with 4, 688 votes beating his closest opponent and nominated senator Isaac Mwaura with 2, 428, he could not be announced as the winner after three polling stations in Mwiki Ward failed to conduct the exercise.

According to King’ara, the exercise was halted after aspirants in the MCA position failed to agree on the provided register and delay in delivery of ballot materials.

King’ara took issue with the organisers for failing to make proper arrangements, a situation that deferred the voting process in the three stations.

To avert growing tension and fury among voters, King’ara urged UDA to expedite the process of conducting the exercise in the area.

“I thank Ruiru residents for coming out to vote for me to be their UDA flag bearer in the upcoming polls. Although I’ve not been declared the winner due to the challenges that happened at Mwiki, I believe I will still make it in the end but UDA should conduct the nomination very fast to prevent voter apathy and fury among the electorate,” King’ara said

Mwaura on his side dismissed the entire electoral process as shambolic claiming it was marred by major irregularities including alleged voter bribery, delayed delivery of materials and expulsion of his agents from stations where tallying was being done.

Mwaura who urged UDA to declare the nomination as null and void and conduct the exercise afresh said he had substantial evidence to prove that the exercise was not free and fair.

“We will file a formal complaint to the party because what happened in Ruiru was not an election. It was all shambolic and the evidence we have is very clear. We want UDA to declare the exercise null and void and allow Ruiru people to engage in a free and fair electoral process,” he said.

He maintained that failure by UDA to heed their calls will result in many of the party loyalists shifting allegiance to other camps, a move he said will work against Deputy President William Ruto who he said enjoys a lot of support from the region.

Simon Waiharo, another aspirant who only managed 71 votes echoed similar sentiments and urged UDA to invalidate the exercise.