Homa Bay UDA grassroot election were very impressive – Kidero

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) conducted its ward elections in Homa Bay in what the county party brigades described as the most successful exercise.

Some 18,000 delegates at various polling stations across the 40 wards in the county turned up to vote and elect the party ward officials.

The delegates cast their votes on Saturday to elect 20 people as ward officials who will later elect the party representatives at the constituency level.

Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Kemsa Director Hezborn Omollo, former Rangwe MP Martin Ogindo and politician Odoyo Owidi said measures were put in place to ensure the success of the election.

Kidero who voted at Asumbi Primary School in Gem East ward, Rangwe constituency said he was happy with the turnout.

“I have been impressed by the turnout today. Homa Bay is a shining example nationally in the UDA party elections,” Kidero said.

Addressing the press after voting, Kidero said they agreed with elections returning and presiding officers to the hybrid method of voting to address hitches that arose during the exercise.

The party used both digital and manual voting register after realising that some names were missing in the digital kits.

He said they did not want anyone to be left out in the election.

“UDA wants its election to remain as transparent and credible as possible. We agreed with officials manning the elections to use the hybrid voting method for everyone to participate in the exercise,” he said.

Omollo said they aimed to ensure all the candidates get the opportunity for election.

He assured supporters that election results would truly reflect the will of the people.

Omollo called on Homa Bay residents to be role models in demonstrating political maturity.

“The objective we have is to ensure that all officials in Homa Bay are elected according to the will of the people,” Omollo said.

Ogindo who voted at Sero primary school in Homa Bay Central ward, Homa Bay Town constituency said they had raised issues with the party elections board to address the disputes.

“We have communicated with the party elections board and the elections dispute resolution committee to ensure every candidate gets their right in this election,” Ogindo said.

Owidi expressed confidence that UDA is steadily gaining popularity not only in Homa Bay but the entire Nyanza region.

He described the election as a peaceful and democratic exercise.

“UDA is slowly and steadily getting space in Nyanza. The election is successful because it was peaceful and well organized,” Owidi said.

Thomas Odoyo who was vying for the secretary post did not find his name on the digital ballot machine.

“I didn’t get my name in the digital machine but I got in the manual register. I raised the matter for assistance,” Odoyo said.

Nyanza UDA election coordinator Aggrey Otore told the party opponents in the region to accept that they are gaining rapid popularity in Homa Bay and give one another democratic space.

“The popularity of UDA is rising rapidly in Homa Bay. I urge our people to be peaceful and respect the democratic right of one another,” Otore said.