President Ruto responds to ongoing UDA infighting

President William Ruto has called his troops to order following escalating wrangles among United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders.

Dr Ruto- the UDA party leader, is reported to have addressed a myriad of issues affecting the party, including petitions calling for the removal of the party’s officials and National Elections Board (NEB) members.

According to insiders at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at State House, Nairobi on Saturday, even though the perceived tiff between Dr Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua was not addressed, the President gave the leaders a dressing down, warning them against using his name in their political manoeuvres.

The President also directed that a National Steering Committee (NSC) meeting be convened to help resolve challenges facing the secretariat. Three members of staff are expected to appear before the committee.

This comes at a time when politicians and top government officials have joined in the public exchanges, issuing conflicting public statements. It is reported that the various WhatsApp groups also turned explosive, with the President and the DP sitting as silent listeners.

“The President and the DP deliberately shoved aside talks and exchanges on the infighting and the problems at the secretariat,” disclosed a source privy to the deliberations at the NEC.

The meeting is reported to have lasted from 3 pm to 8.30 pm.

Avoiding to weigh in on the public spat among leaders, the President is said to have instead focused on party issues.

“The meeting focused more on the elections where the NEB and the elections and nominations disputes resolutions committee submitted reports,” another official informed the Nation on condition of anonymity.

The President is reported to have pressed on the need to obey court orders. And as a result, the meeting resolved that the Narok and West Pokot elections stand postponed.

“Where the courts have issued orders stopping the election, we have to postpone. We must respect court orders,” President Ruto told the meeting.

Exposing the deep-rooted problems in running UDA party affairs, the NEB was represented by the whole team led by chair Antony Mwaura, however, the Elections Dispute Resolution Committee (EDRC) only had the chairperson Joy Mdivo present.

Prior to the meeting, the Nation has established that there was drama around the venue for the NEC meeting.

“They wanted the meeting held at the party headquarters so as to deny the DP the routine presidential briefing that’s done at State House before any meeting,” an MP told the Nation.

The elephant in the room was a petition seeking the removal of secretary-general Cleophas Malala.

However, things are said to have become complicated when four other petitions seeking the removal of Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi, Chairperson Cecily Mbarire and Mr Mwaura, the NEB chairperson, emerged.

The meeting resolved that the petitions were weak and, therefore, not admissible.

Electoral disputes continue to derail President Ruto’s ambitious grassroots polls as intense competition rocks the party.

Emergence of factions

There have been reports of the emergence of factions following the polls that kicked off on April 26 in seven counties, with protests being witnessed in some areas over disputes.

In Nairobi where DP Gachagua and Governor Johnson Sakaja have locked horns over the process of elections, Dr Ruto urged for a quick political settlement to allow the polls to proceed.

Mr Gachagua is said to be fronting Embakasi North MP James Gakuya against Mr Sakaja for the Nairobi county party chairmanship post.

Mr Malala hinted at the possibility of consensus in some areas to forestall fallout.

“Our focus is to strengthen the party. So any method that is geared towards achieving a strong, united party is encouraged…But in the same breath, I would like our members to approach the elections with an open mind of winning or losing. That is the basic principle of democracy,” Mr Malala told Nation.

Even as the disputes continue to rock the party, President Ruto gave a nod to phase two of the party elections to begin on June 22 in 13 counties. These are Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Nyandarua, Tharaka-Nithi, Machakos, Kisii, Bungoma, Siaya, Taita-Taveta, Wajir, Tana River, Kwale and Marsabit counties.

The Head of State reportedly asked Mr Mwaura to proceed with county level elections in the counties of Homa Bay and Busia, whose constituency polls were not challenged.

The NEC meeting is also said to have addressed the contentious issue of the composition of the National Delegates Conference (NDC). NEC is said to have adopted the formula of sharing delegates based on the presidential vote that each county returned to the UDA presidential candidate in the 2022 elections.

This process will see counties that garnered more than 50 per cent produce 20 delegates each to the NDC, with others below that mark sharing other slots on a pro-rata basis. The third and fourth phases will take place on August 10 and August 24 in 15 and 12 counties, respectively.

In a statement after the NEC meeting, Mr Malala noted that the committee emphasized that “discipline is the engine that oils the party.”

“This follows recent occurrences where party members violated election rules and regulations and instances where party members contradicted and or disrespected senior party officials,” said Mr Malala.

AM Live

AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.

BNX

Business Redefined

Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.

Comedies

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Entertainment

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Full Episodes

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Gumzo La Sato

Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.

Health Diary

Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.

Letter To My Younger Self

Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.

Mazao Talks

Mazao looks at agriculture and agribusiness

Nation Reports

Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.

One Health Lens Podcast

Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.

Podcasts

Podcasts

Speaking of GEN Z

Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.

Sport On

Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.

Tech-over

The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.

Thamani

Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.

The Politalk podcast

This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.

The Trend

A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.

The trend podcast

The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA

The Wicked Edition

The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience

Trending

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Twende

Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.

Unscripted

This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.

VIP Access

VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.

WADR

This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.

When death do us part

In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.

Your World

Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.