President William Ruto on Saturday, September 9, declared that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) will hold party elections in December 2023.

The president said while officially opening the UDA offices in Nyeri, where he emphasized the need to strengthen the party.

“We are going to have UDA party elections countrywide in December 2023, We are going to release the timetable to ensure the leadership of the party is determined by members,” said Ruto.

Ruto added that no leader will be given a party leadership role through roundtable discussions, adding that members are the ones to vote for the leaders.

“Members will be given chance to vote for the right leaders to manage affairs of the party in order for us to build a national party that is going to unite the country,” he narrated.

The head of state urged Kenyans to consider supporting a political party that does not include issues of ethnicity in party management affairs.

“We want to strengthen UDA and make it a stronger national party that is people-centered, issue-based, and more organized in driving the country towards a prosperous future,” he said.

On his part, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua assured the president that he was going to mobilize people in the Mount Kenya region and the entire country to register as party members.

At the same time, UDA party secretary general Cleophas Malala called on Kenyans to register as members in order to participate in the upcoming party elections.

“Only registered members will be allowed to participate in the party elections and the time to register is now,” said Malala.

Other leaders present including governors Mutahi Kahika (Nyeri) and Cecil Mbarire (Embu) insisted that other parties within the Kenya Kwanza coalition should fold up and join UDA.

The leaders explained that the move would make UDA stronger in future general elections.