The verbal wars witnessed among UDA leaders across the country will not only destroy the ruling party but also the country if unchecked, a top party official has warned.
President William Ruto’s political adviser Karisa Nzai said on Monday it is sad to see leaders using pulpits as platforms to exchange bitter words because of political differences.
“The words exchanged are not those that can calm the country. They are words that can bring great loss in our country,” Nzai said.
“UDA is a baby that we are raising. We still have economic issues that we are taking care of."
He spoke in Alidina, Jomvu subcounty, where he met UDA delegates ahead of the June 22 party grassroots elections.
This comes in the wake of a storm within the party after some of the top members appeared to support the Limuru 3 meeting on Friday.
The meeting of political bigwigs from Mt Kenya, according to its proponents, who are mostly from the Azimio coalition, is meant to bring the Mountain together.
However, some UDA bigwigs have accused the proponents of trying to drive a wedge between President Ruto and his Mt Kenya political base.
National Assembly majority leader Ichung’wah Kimani and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot said the meeting was tribal and would create problems for Kenya.
The Limuru 3 meeting, spearheaded by Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, gave birth to the new Haki Coalition, whose leader is now former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
On Monday, Nzai said it is wrong to use church platforms to spit vitriol for political mileage.
He appeared to be defending Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against accusations that he is working with the newly formed Haki Coalition.
“I meekly ask leaders to stop this. We have reason to sit in our different fora and rectify things where they have gone wrong," Nzai said.
“Deputy President does not need to be helped to speak out. He is one of the officers in our government who has worked hard. He deserves respect just as the President deserves respect.”
“Deputy President has a mouth to speak for himself. And you who says Deputy President has a problem, who told you? Where did you hear that?”
He said leaders have a duty to bring the country together and not drive it apart, especially at this time that the country is just coming out of a floods disaster.
“We do not want to get into another disaster so soon. Fellow leaders, let us speak responsibly,” Nzai said.
The presidential adviser said there is freedom of association and any particular community is free to meet and discuss their issues.
“If the Kikuyus want to meet, let them meet. If the Giriama want to meet, let them meet. Kambas, the same,” Nzai said.
“Do not be afraid when you see communities meet. Just do not use those meetings to threaten others. Who said when the Kikuyus meet they want to overthrow the government?"
The division has also been witnessed in Mombasa, where there are various camps led by different UDA leaders.
UDA vice chairman and EALA MP Hassan Omar, Nyali MP Mohammed Ali and nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi lead different factions of UDA in the county.
However, Nzai also cautioned against crossing the line when looking for positions in the party.
“We need to bring all people in the party together. We cannot use every platform to insult each other to a point of no reconciliation,” Nzai warned.
He said it is wrong for party members to wash their dirty linen in public.
“People will think we are not organised. Why don’t we let those who were not elected in national offices get elected at county and ward levels?” he said.
He said leaders should not impose leaders on the people.