Members of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) from Tana Delta have called on President William Ruto to intervene after they accused the Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of sabotaging their grassroots elections.
While decrying irregularities in the just-concluded grassroots elections, the members alleged that some elected ODM leaders in the region interfered with the elections to frustrate the party.
''Disturbingly, information came to our attention that some elected ODM leaders in Tana River were involved in this interference, seemingly aiming to frustrate and sabotage the process, '' the UDA members alleged.
The members stated that the elections were plagued by confusion, resulting in irregularities. They alleged that, on the morning of the elections, Garsen CROs were directed by the election board to reassign ROs and clerks, a decision they claim was influenced by external forces.
Additionally, the members asserted that aspirants received text messages indicating the elections would take place on Friday, April 11, instead of the official date of Saturday, April 12, to confuse aspirants and voters.
In what appeared to be a direct attack on the broad-based government between President William Ruto and Raila, UDA members voiced their frustration, accusing ODM of unjustly interfering with UDA's internal processes.
Furious and visibly agitated, the leaders issued a stern warning, threatening to abandon the party if Ruto failed to act swiftly to address and resolve the escalating tensions.
''We are ready to welcome anyone, but we cannot allow someone to leave their own house and come to disrupt ours. If pushed too far, we might step aside and leave it to those so-called friends,'' the leaders allied to Senator Danson Mungatana said.
''Therefore, call our leaders and address this matter; we demand a very transparent election,'' the leaders demanded.
The allegations come at a time when a section of UDA leaders in the region labeled the grassroots elections as unfair and not conducted in accordance with UDA rules.
Led by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana, the leaders called for the cancellation of the elections that took place on Saturday 12.
''Our county elections were not conducted under UDA rules and we demand cancellation of the alleged elections and reject anything that comes from it,'' Mungata said in an official statement on April 13.
