• Serem said although the party coordinators and officials had committed to ensuring the primaries are free and fair, the party put measures in place to ensure this.
• Whoever wins the UDA ticket will have a tough time facing independent Buzeki.
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
Former China envoy Sarah Serem who is running for governor in Uasin Gishu says they expect nothing less than impartial and free UDA nominations next month.
She is among DP William Ruto's allies vying for the post in the county that is home to the DP.
Governor Jackson Mandago is exiting after his second term and will run for the Senate.
Many UDA members are running for nominations and possible interference and tilting the scales are feared.
Serem said although the party coordinators and officials had committed to ensuring primaries are free, the party must put in place measures to ensure it is done.
“I am looking at nothing else than fairness. We want to have nominations that will be above board, done fairly and transparently. Nothing less than that,” Serem said.
She spoke in Eldoret where she joined woman inmates at the GK prison to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Serem said the party must demonstrate to the world its commitment to fairness and transparency through well-organised nominations.
She is among more than seven aspirants seeking the UDA ticket for the August 9 polls.
Others fighting for the UDA ticket are politician Jonathan Bii, former envoy Julius Bitok, Soy MP Caleb Kositany, MCA for Ngenyilel David Sing’oei and former Nairobi Devolution executive Vesca Kangogo.
Separately, Bitok and Bii said nominations would be free and fair.
“We assure our supporters there is no cause for concern,” Bitok said.
Bii, who is considered a front runner, said his team was also prepared for a fair primary so that the best aspirant wins.
“I want you to help me win in the primaries, which will be round one, Then we complete the game on August 9," Bii said at Langas estate in Eldoret.
The race to succeed Mandago has intensified after former CEO of the Agricultural Development Corporation William Kirwa also joined the race for the UDM ticket. It is part of the Azimio movement led by ODM chief Raila Odinga.
Kirwa has worked as a banker and university lecturer. He was part of the opposition during the Kanu regime.
“I have a seven-point agenda I want to implement in transforming the county," Kirwa said.
His campaign emphasises access for all residents to county resources, accountability in leadership, empowerment for opportunities and networking for trade and investments.
Kirwa said despite the region being a UDA stronghold and home to DP Ruto, he believes the residents can make up their own minds.
Last weekend, former Eldoret South MP Peris Simam withdrew from the race for governor and backed Bii.
The winner of the UDA primaries will face an even bigger battle against businessman Bundotch Kiprop Buzeki, who is running as an independent, and Kirwa who will receive a direct ticket.
Analysts said depending on how the UDA primaries are conducted, there may be more independent candidates.
Buzeki is also popular in the county and as during the last elections, he is expected to run a well-oiled campaign boosted by his rhetorical skills.
(Edited by V. Graham)