Disputes have emerged within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) following claims by Bernard Ng’eno over alleged irregularities in the party’s nominations for the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary seat.
Ng’eno has alleged that the exercise was marred by rigging and voter bribery, raising concerns about the credibility of the process that produced David Keter as the party’s flagbearer.
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According to Ng’eno, the nomination exercise did not reflect the will of the people, citing claims of compromised voting procedures and inducements aimed at influencing voter decisions. He has called for a review of the results, arguing that the process lacked transparency and fairness.
The disputed nominations come ahead of the highly anticipated by-election in Emurua Dikirr, triggered by the death of former MP Johanna Ng’eno.
The allegations add a new layer of tension within UDA, as internal party contests increasingly become battlegrounds that shape the outcome of general elections. Party primaries in Kenya have often faced scrutiny over claims of manipulation, logistical failures, and voter influence.
Political analysts note that such disputes, if unresolved, risk weakening party unity and could impact UDA’s performance in the upcoming by-election, especially if aggrieved aspirants choose to run as independent candidates or shift allegiance.
The United Democratic Alliance has yet to issue a detailed response to the claims, but the party is expected to rely on its internal dispute resolution mechanisms to address grievances raised by aspirants.
The situation in Emurua Dikirr now mirrors a broader pattern in Kenyan politics, where party nominations often attract as much controversy as the main elections themselves.
As the matter unfolds, attention will be on whether the party initiates a review, conducts fresh nominations, or upholds the current results—decisions that could significantly shape the political landscape in the constituency ahead of the by-election.
