UDA nominations materials burnt in Embu as locals decry rigging claims

The much-awaited United Democratic Alliance nominations in Embu county are in limbo after a lorry transporting voting materials was attacked.

In a viral video shared on social media on Wednesday,  ballot boxes and papers were burnt as rigging allegations emerged hours before the primaries.

This comes as a number of aspirants threaten to withdraw their membership from the party and vie as independent candidates if the party will not conduct a free and fair nomination.

Deputy President William Ruto has previously assured the UDA members and aspirants that the primaries will be free and fair.

Let us be peaceful. The nominations will be free, fair, and democratic," Ruto said.

The UDA national elections board on Wednesday announced that preparations for the party's primaries scheduled for Thursday are complete.

NEC chairman Antony Mwaura said on Wednesday that all election materials including ballot boxes and papers have already arrived at the polling stations ahead of the exercise.

The voting will take place in 36 counties across the country in the exercise that will only be open to the eight million registered UDA members.

However, the Board has suspended primaries in Nandi Hill, Narok South and Nakuru town west constituencies until April 19.

Nominations in Nandi Hills has been suspended after an aspirant died in a road accident.

In Narok South and Nakuru Town West primaries have been pushed because of a mixup in ballot papers.

Nominations for governors will take place in 13 counties, those of Senators will be conducted in 18 counties will while rep polls will be conducted in 28 counties across the country.