United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has withdrawn a statement it made on Tuesday, February 8, asking Members of County Assemblies seeking other elective seats on the party ticket to resign from their current seats.
In a statement signed by UDA Secretary General Veronica Maina, the party asked the MCAs eyeing either Senate or MP seats to resign from their current positions as Ward Reprs today, February 9.
“We advise our aspirants who are sitting Members of County Assembly (MCAs) intending to contest for the position of Member of Parliament or Senate to resign by Wednesday for them to be eligible to contest in the aforementioned positions,” the party said.
Hours after making the statement, the Deputy President William Ruto-led party withdrew the statement noting that it is still seeking clarification from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to advise on whether the seating ward reps are eligible to vie for other political seats while still in office.
“The party wishes to withdraw the notice till we seek urgent clarification from IEBC,” UDA said.
The question of whether the MCAs should resign from the office comes at a time when public servants have until today in the evening to resign from their various capacities if they wish to run for elective seats in the coming elections.
According to Kenya’s constitution, public servants and State officers are required to resign from their positions six months before the elections, and today, February 9, will be exactly six months to the August 9 general election.
