We'll not allow opponents to infiltrate polls, says UDA

UDA members cheer at a delegates meeting at the Maya Gardens, Sagana party grassroots member registration. [Jane Mugambi, Standard].

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Elections Board has vowed to prevent infiltration of the planned grassroots elections set for Friday 26 in seven counties.

The board assured UDA supporters in Homa Bay County that measures have been put in place to ensure smooth elections.

The UDA elections could be one of the strategies that President William Ruto is using to gain ground in ODM leader Raila Odinga's perceived stronghold.

The party has vowed to explore all avenues to win support in the county.

UDA National Elections Board members Halake Diida and Lydia Munika said opponents were spreading propaganda aimed at confusing the party members during the elections.

The officials who were accompanied by the UDA Co-coordinator in Nyanza region Agrey Otore, acting chairman in Homa Bay county Kennedy Obuya, and member Martin Ogindo said they have put in place modalities to thwart attempts to sabotage the elections.

Speaking at UDA offices in Homa Bay town during sensitization of supporters on the planned elections, Munika said they will not allow opponents to jeopardise the elections.

"Our opponents are already worried about our election and they have started spreading false and negative information to jeopardise our elections. But we have learned of their intentions and put adequate measures in place to counter them," she said.

The UDA elections board official was optimistic that they will consolidate support in Homa Bay County.

"Homa Bay is one of our new strongholds, many residents believe in the ideologies of UDA and we are here to safeguard their interests," Munika said.

Diida said they are going to ensure free and fair elections.

"We are assuring Home Bay residents that we are going to use the party registers to ensure that only registered UDA members vote. Our objective is to safeguard the interests of our members in Homa Bay," he said.

He promised to uphold the will of the people in the elections.

"This election will consider the will of UDA members in Homa Bay by ensuring that winners are declared on merit. The exercise will be credible and verifiable," Diida said.

Otore told UDA members to come out in large numbers to participate in the election. "We call for peace during the elections and we want our members not to fear anything," he said.

Ogindo urged residents to elect competent officials who can run UDA affairs in Homa Bay County.

"We want to ensure UDA conducts an election that will give us officials who have the capability of promoting the ideologies of the party effectively," he said.

Obuya and the party assistant coordinator Kennedy Ongati said the rules put in place will enhance transparency and accountability in the elections.

"We want a peaceful and credible election to ensure that the officials elected can promote the agenda of UDA across all the eight constituencies in Homa Bay," Obuya said.