The United Democratic Alliance Party (UDA) party, which is associated with Deputy President William Ruto, now says anyone is free to seek the party’s presidential ticket.

Party secretary-general Veronica Maina says the Presidential ticket is not a preserve of DP Ruto as many would imagine.

According to her, the DP will be subjected to a nomination process like any other person who would wish to be the party’s flagbearer.

“Don’t be surprised to find that there are other presidential candidates who have expressed interests to be the party’s presidential ticket. The Deputy President will, therefore, be open to the processes of the party,” the SG told Citizen TV.

The clarifications came barely two days after the Deputy President said he will use the UDA party to seek Presidency come 2022.

In a rally in West Pokot, the DP said UDA is his new home together with his allies who were kicked out of the ruling Jubilee party positions to an extent of being denied access to the party headquarters in Pangani.

Maina also defended DP Ruto’s association with UDA saying it’s legal based on the pre-coalition agreement they signed up with Jubilee in the build-up to 2017 General Elections.

She said Jubilee’s association with ODM is worse than what the DP’s links to the UDA party.

“The UDA party had a coalition with the Jubilee Party. The agreement is still in existence to date. Even now, the Jubilee party associates itself with the ODM party. What is the difference when the DP associates himself with UDA?” Ms Maina posed.

The DP and his allies are poised for a major exodus from the ruling Jubilee in the near future in a move that will see them strengthen the UDA party ahead of the 2022 General Elections.

Political pundits say the exodus will happen at an opportune time when various parties will be preparing for the 2022 polls.

This comes even as the Jubilee and ODM parties are finalizing their coalition agreement, a move that will see them work together in the forthcoming General Elections.