The just concluded January 2023 by-elections unearthed wrangles within the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
United Democratic Movement (UDM) party leader, Ali Roba, accused Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale (Defence) and Kithure Kindiki (Interior) of resorting to intimidation tactics to win the Garissa township by-election.
Speaking to the press, on Saturday, January 7, Roba accused Duale and Kindiki of withdrawing his security detail to frustrate him from campaigning for his candidate.
Criticising the move, the senator claimed that the CSs should take full responsibility for any threatening incident on his life.
Roba alleged that despite his tense relationship with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the latter didn't withdraw his security detail in any capacity.
"What we exercised as UDM is our democratic right. Uhuru could not touch my security based on the threats we face in our region," Roba stated.
UDM's Nasir Mohamed came second in the by-election after garnering 8,158 votes, according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
United Democratic Alliance (UDA's) Dekow Mohamed won the seat with 11,572 votes.
To add to Kenya Kwanza's woes, a section of politicians accused the UDA's elections board of foul play in a bid to clinch the by-election.
In Elgeyo Marakwet, Tim Kipchumba, called for the UDA leadership to be reconstituted. The legislator, who contested for the Elgeyo Marakwet Senatorial seat, conceded defeat to UDA's Wilson Kisang. Kipchumba vied on an independent ticket.
"It must never be seen that the President is struggling in his stronghold, and I blame the projections on the UDA party. The elections board must be reconstituted.
"The reason we have an MP, a woman representative in (President William) Ruto's stronghold elected on an independent ticket, is based on mismanagement," Kipchumba stated.
While responding to claims of cracks within the ruling party, UDA's Secretary General Veronica Maina dispelled rumours of a fallout between the party's officials. Maina stated that the rumours were propaganda disseminated by their rivals.
