By Betty Luke
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party members in Isiolo have threatened to decamp to Azimio due to divisions occasioned by takeover of party affairs by newest entrants.
Members say the infighting arose after gubernatorial aspirant Hussein Tene joined the party and started sidelining old leaders who had hugely contributed in popularizing the party.
Mr Tene, they said, immediately after joining the Deputy President William Ruto’s party, started masquerading as their leader without their blessings and went to extent of hunting for party’s aspirants.
“He (Tene) joined UDA through the backdoor but we will throw him out through the main door,” Abel Gitonga said.
While defending Isiolo North MP hopeful Fatuma Ali who has been sidelined by Mr Tene’s faction, tens of the party members said they will not sit and watch as vibrant members like Ms Ali are being isolated.
They accused the gubernatorial aspirant, who lost Isiolo South MP seat in 2017 after garnering close to 800 votes, of hijacking the party and causing divisions which threaten seamless working together of the aspirants.
Addressing journalists, they vowed to support Raila Odinga’s candidature should Dr Ruto lock out members who had tirelessly worked to promote the party in the county where majority of the elected leaders are supporting Azimio la Umoja.
“If you will not work with Ms Ali, who has sacrificed to see the party grow to where it is, we will not support you,” Kelvin Zamal said in reference to supporting DP Ruto.
Ms Lucy Ntinyari warned the Deputy President against working with Mr Tene saying he could not be trusted as was self-centered.
“He (Tene) is dividing our people and sidelining leaders who welcomed him to the party,” she said, while maintaining that one should not be discriminated against based on their gender.
Burat MCA aspirant Nura Hassan said they were ready to hold parallel meetings when DP Ruto visits the county later this month if the issues will not have been exclusively resolved.
“During your planned meeting, you must meet both teams and if need be, we will hold separate rallies,” he said.
Another member Boniface Gichuru said all aspirants should be treated equally and appealed to Dr Ruto to address the issue before his visit.
“We will not allow the party to be hijacked by a few selfish people. We demand respect for our women and the DP should forget about our support if the matter is not addressed,” he said.
Mr Tene days ago recruited Abdilatif Boru of ODM into UDA despite Ms Ali having registered and paid nomination fees a month ago.
On her part, the MP aspirant cried foul for being sidelined despite having single-handedly registering UDA members using her own resources.
She said Dr Ruto choosing to work with Mr Tene risked messing up the gains that the party had made in the county.
“It is sad that people who found us in the party are the ones deceiving DP Ruto and sidelining us,” Ms Ali said.
She and Mr Hassan called for free and fair nominations and maintained that they will not allow direct tickets.
“I have no issues with my brother (Abdilatif) and he is welcome to the party. I am ready to face him in the nominations and the process must be free and fair,” she said.
The infighting could prompt defections ahead of the DP’s visit with majority of the members threatening to boycott the meeting and hold separate meeting.
“If Ruto will not listen to and address our grievances, we will board another vehicle,” John Mwenda warned.
