Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi's main opponent in the August 9 elections Francis Murgor has quit UDA to run as an independent.
Murgor on Tuesday said he had quit UDA after realising the UDA primaries would be riddled with challenges.
He said, however, he would still support DP William Ruto and vote for him on august 9.
He is young and trained in the US as a finance and biomedical technology expert. He has been campaigning in the constituency since last year.
“After consultations with my supporters, I have decided to resign from UDA and will now vie for the Kapseret seat as an independent candidate," Murgor told reporters.
He said he was confident he wold win and bring change to the constituency.
He had been expected to face off with Sudi in the party primaries but said UDA, like all other parties will have major challenges during the nominations in April.
He denied claims he feared facing Sudi in the primaries. “I don’t fear Sudi because I am going to face him on August 9," Murgor said.
He has urged his supporters to not to be swayed by propaganda and claims that those vying as independents might as well be backing the the Azimio movement which is headed by ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“The Constitution is very clear about independent candidates and I will not be associated with any other independent candidate or political party," Murgor said.”
The aspirant said that by running as an independent he was not in any way going against DP Ruto because he would still support Ruto for president.
Sudi is one of the DP's major key allies in the region and analysts say it would have been difficult for Murgor to win the UDA ticket against the MP.
Murgor defection comes as UDA aspirants express fears the party primaries may be interfered with by unnamed allies of the DP who, it is said, favour certain aspirants for party seats.
Chairman of UDA elections board Anthony Mwaura has tried to assure party’s aspirants in Rift Valley the nominations in April will be free and fair.
Mwaura has dismissed as untrue the widespread rumours that some aspirants may be favoured during the primaries.
He said they would invite both and local and foreign observers to oversee the nominations expected to be very competitive in DP Ruto's stronghold.
Mwaura met aspirants in Eldoret last week and assured them UDA was preparing free, fair, verifiable and credible primaries.
(Edited by V. Graham)
