Former Nyeri first lady Margaret Karungaru Gachagua has ditched the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party citing fear of an unfair nomination process.
The widow of the first area governor Nderitu Gachagua said she will still support deputy President William Ruto’s presidential bid but will run as an independent candidate.
“Our deputy president is so far up, he can wish for things to be free and fair but we know wishes and sometimes what happens on the ground are different things. Am I willing to take that risk? My answer is no,” she said.
If it was up to her she would run on a GNU party ticket, she said.
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“My husband was elected as a governor on a GNU party ticket which was a small party. If he was still here, I would use the party to vie but now I choose to go independent,” Mrs Gachagua added.
The DP Ruto-led outfit has set the primaries for April 9 to 16.
The party’s National Elections Board (NEB) earlier on in the month said they have no preferred candidates and the party will not issue a direct ticket to any aspirant.
“The Deputy President William Ruto has undertaken that the nominations will be free and fair. All aspirants will face Wanjiku’s verdict on nominations day,” Board chairman Antony Mwaura said.
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The party, Mwaura said, has embarked on a verification process for those who have paid nomination fees.
Aspirants seeking to contest for UDA tickets have up to the end of February to pay the requisite nomination fee.
Individuals interested in the UDA Party Presidential candidature for the 2022 elections will have to part with Sh1 million (males) while the females and the youth will pay Sh500,000.
For the governor seats, male aspirants will pay Sh500,000 nomination fee, while women and the youth will pay Sh250,000.
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As for those interested in the Woman Representative seat they will pay Sh250,000 nomination fee, and the youths Sh125,000.
For MP seats, male applicants will pay Sh250,000, females and youth will pay Sh125,000, the same will apply for senator aspirants.
For MCA seats, male applicants will pay a nomination fee of Sh50,000 while females will pay Sh25,000, the same amount is to be paid by the youth.
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