Editor's Review

UDA has accused Jubilee of using ill-informed tactics to manipulate and control popular parties, further noting that Jubilee has no mandate to audit other political parties membership. 

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has issued a statement following claims that the party stole membership data from President Uhuru Kenyatta-led Jubilee party.

On Saturday, February 5, reports indicated that the ruling party approached Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu seeking to have UDA de-registered over claims of breaching its databases. 

UDA has since dismissed the claims accusing Jubilee of using ill-informed tactics to manipulate and control popular parties, further noting that Jubilee has no mandate to audit other political parties' membership. 

"Since its inception, UDA embarked on and is conducting vigorous recruitment of members in all the 47 counties

"These activities have been ongoing and emphasis on grassroots in tandem with the 'Bottom-up' economic model approach," UDA secretary-general Veronica Maina said in a statement. 

{A billboard of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto outside Jubilee HQs PHOTO/COURTESY}

Maina also noted that UDA is open to random audits by the Office Of The Registrar Of Political Parties (ORPP), also noting that Jubilee was in a panic mode. 

"In their capacity and in conducting their due diligence, the ORPP has previously done random audit of party membership. UDA is open to continuous made by the ORPP

"We understand the panic and attempts by the Jubilee party to drag us into their party's resuscitation efforts. For a party that embarked on a vicious and systematic purge of its own members, with high profile humiliation of parliamentary and party leadership, we are surprised that you now realize that you do not have members," the statement further read. 

According to Jubilee, the membership data in question was lifted from Jubilee Center by former officials and handed over to UDA, also noting that they are seeking to establish the exact number of members UDA stole. 

"One of the reasons some of the coordinators were affected in the staff changes recently is because of feeding UDA with our data," Jubilee deputy secretary-general Joshua Kutuny said.