UDA Summons Three Embu Politicians Over Burning of Party Poll Material

Following violence and the burning of election material on the night of party primaries in Embu County, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party disciplinary committee has summoned Norman Nyaga, Margaret Lorna Kariuki (Nominated Member of County Assembly) and Manyatta MP John Muchiri.

In a letter to the duo on Wednesday, the committee referenced a complaint filed against them for burning and destruction of party election materials, as well as public incitement outside The Izaak Walton Inn.

“The party is seized with video footage as well as information, material and other evidence which links you with the aforementioned criminal activity in gross violation of the Party Constitution and Code of Conduct,” read the letter signed by Paul Karuga.

“Further, be informed that if the accusations against you as herein above specified are proved at the hearing, the consequences thereof are grave and include disqualification from participating in the nomination process, suspension or even expulsion from the Party.”

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The two leaders are expected to appear before the committee on Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Hustler Centre in Nairobi for a hearing on the matter.

“In accordance with Article 29.1 you may represent yourself in person or you may bring along another member of the Party to represent you provided that such representative is a UDA party member or an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya,” added the letter.

This comes after a lorry delivering ballot material to Embu ahead of the party primaries was plundered and set on fire by boisterous youths on Wednesday.

According to witness accounts, the youths trailed the lorry from Mbeere South, 15 kilometers south of Embu, to Izaak Walton Hotel, where they pillaged the material and set it on fire.

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Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Sigowet-Soin MP Bernard Koros, and his Tharaka colleague Gitonga Muragara have since been deployed to help deal with the problem.

Gubernatorial aspirant Cecily Mbarire had earlier threatened to withdraw from the primaries citing rigging plot.

Mbarire stated that her concerns about the nominations’ integrity stemmed from rumors that some leaders were plotting to rig elections and create havoc throughout the process.

“As a candidate, what I am advocating for is a free and fair nomination and that is the same thing I have told my party. I will not take part in the exercise if it’s not free and fair,” said the nominated MP.

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While expressing confidence in her ability to clinch the party ticket, Mbarire also urged members of the public to turn out in huge numbers for the exercise so that UDA can field strong candidates to contest against the Azimio-One Kenya candidates.

“I’m very sure that I will clinch the ticket and bring victory to the UDA party,” she added.

Her competitor is Manyatta MP Muchiri.