The race for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential ticket has taken a twist after two little-known aspirants sought to contest against Deputy President William Ruto.
Following the development, Ruto has been invited by officials from the party to defend his interest to be the Presidential flag bearer.
In a letter seen by Kenyans.co.ke that was dated March 10, 2022, UDA officials informed that the DP should present himself for an interview which they will use to pick the flagbearer.
UDA Party also invited Tracy Wanjiru Kingoli and Orina Jephanei to submit their documents since they are challenging DP Ruto for the party's ticket.
The letter indicated that the party officials wanted to verify the aspirants' papers as well as those of other candidates that are challenging him for the top seat ahead of the August polls.
He was asked by the UDA Party Secretary-General Veronica Maina, to avail himself at the party headquarters on Saturday, March 12, at 8:30 am.
He was also directed to carry a National Identification Card, a coloured passport-sized photograph (soft copy), proof of payment of the nomination fees, an original copy of the academic certificates and his updated resume.
"UDA presidential candidates; Deputy President @WilliamsRuto, Tracy Wanjiru and Orina Jephanei have been invited for nomination interviews at Hustler Plaza on Saturday," the party stated.
The party has been busy registering members and aspirants in various parts of the country and on March 9, UDA revealed that it had collected over Ksh350 million in nomination fees from at least 5,000 aspirants eyeing different political seats ahead of party primaries set to take place between April 9 and April 16.
In documents seen by Kenyans.co.ke, UDA received 54 gubernatorial applications, with each aspirant paying Ksh500,000 totalling Ksh27 million.
UDA also bagged Ksh16 million from tens of aspirants, eyeing senatorial positions. Further from aspirants aiming for the parliamentary seats including county women representatives and members of parliament, added to the pool Ksh145 million, and Members of County Assembly aspirants forked out at least Ksh158 million.
The scramble for UDA's party nomination has seen regions like Rift Valley, Mount Kenya, Western, Eastern, and the Coast register higher numbers. As a result, major metropolitan cities like Nairobi and Nakuru attracted huge numbers.
According to UDA officials, the party received over 4,200 applications from aspirants.
