UDA cannot produce president and deputy in Kenya Kwanza, states Wetang’ula

• Mar 1, 2022

UDA cannot produce president and deputy in Kenya Kwanza, states Wetang’ula

By Justus Karanja

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) cannot produce a presidential candidate and a running mate in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula (pictured) has stated.

Wetang’ula, a principal in Kenya Kwanza alongside Deputy President William Ruto and Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, said it would not be in order for UDA to produce both the presidential candidate and the running mate as Kenya Kwanza is a coalition of equals and the interest of all parties involved must be considered in decision making.

Wetang’ula spoke moments after Amani dismissed Mathira Member of Parliament Rigathi Gachagua’s comments regarding the 2022 presidential and running mate candidates at the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

The MP had said that Ruto, who is the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) boss, will be the coalition flag-bearer and that his running mate will be picked from the Mt. Kenya region.

“We have our National Delegates Conference (NDC) on the 15th of March to unveil our presidential candidate William Samoei Ruto, other things will follow,” Gachagua told a local television station.

 “As far as I am concerned, the running mate will come from the mountain at the appropriate time."

But the Mudavadi-led party, in a statement issued later in the day, dismissed Gachagua’s remarks as unwarranted, saying he had no power to speak on behalf of Kenya Kwanza.

“Hon. Rigathi Gachagua has no authority to speak for Kenya Kwanza on the matter hence his sentiments are premature, untimely and unwarranted,” read the statement by ANC Secretary General Simon Gikuru.

The party further stated that Kenya Kwanza is yet to decide on its presidential candidate as well as running mate.

“Kenya Kwanza coalition has not decided on its presidential and running mate candidates. This will happen and be unveiled at an appropriate time by our principals Musalia, Ruto and Wetangula,” ANC said.

The party further faulted the MP’s ‘regional’ mindset, adding that the Kenya Kwanza coalition had nationalist motives to abolish ethnic trivialization.

“Rigathi Gachagua should transition from a regional UDA mindset to embrace the broader picture of Kenya Kwanza philosophy,” the statement added.