Sakaja fails to vote as UDA elections kick off to slow start
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots party elections began on Friday with mixed results.
At St George’s Primary School polling station in Nairobi, voting started at 9am, but the process of identifying party members proved challenging.
By 11am, only four people had voted and five were unable to vote because the system could not identify them.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who is vying for the Nairobi chairmanship, did not vote because the system rejected him.
At Lenana High School, voters turned up as early as 6am to vote for their candidates, only to be shocked to find that the clerk was not there.
Voters there have expressed their dissatisfaction and called on the party to postpone the election.
“Let the UDA party cancel this election and let us vote later. I came here at 8am but the clerk is not even here,” said Mwangi.
At James Gichuru Primary School in Embakasi North Constituency, voting started at 9am, with various voters being asked to produce identification documents before voting.
However, some voters complained that their details were not recorded on the machines, even though they had registered as party members.
“I am surprised that my name is missing but I had registered and even confirmed that my membership is active,” Ms Njeri Kamau told Nation.Africa.
In Busia County, heavy rains and technical problems delayed the start of the elections.
The exercise, which was supposed to start at 9am and end at 5pm, started almost a few minutes before 11am.
And when it started, there were complaints about the machines, with some candidates and voters claiming that some names were missing in the various categories in which they were supposed to vote.
“The process started late, but after six people had voted, we noticed that only one candidate’s name appeared in the seven categories. We have reported the glitch and are waiting for the party’s election committee to issue us with a new set so that we can continue with the exercise,” said John Andenda Ogutu.
In Homa Bay, bad weather delayed the start of the primary elections.
Most members who expected voting to start at 9am were told to wait a little longer as the delivery of voting materials was delayed.
In some areas, the exercise was delayed by at least an hour due to rain.
UDA election board member Halake Diida, who is overseeing the exercise in the county, said party members in the affected centres would be given extra time to vote.
The party had planned to finish the exercise by 5pm.
In Suba South, a truck had broken down and blocked a road.
The party had to hire another vehicle from the opposite side of the road to deliver election materials.
“We used boats to deliver materials to islands in Lake Victoria. But we managed to supply all the stations that were lined up for the exercise,” said Mr Diida.
The UDA has at least 200,000 registered members in Homa Bay, which is among the first five counties to hold the exercise.
Meanwhile, 17,301 candidates are vying for various positions in the Lake Region county.
The county has 402 polling stations. Other counties participating in the staggered elections are Nairobi, Narok, Busia and West Pokot.
Reported by Kevin Cheruiyot, Ndubi Moturi, Rushdie Oudia and George Odiwuor
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
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
Documentaries
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.
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.
Primetime
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
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.