Why UDA Wants ODM Blocked from 2022 Elections

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Chairman Johnson Muthama wants the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBCC) to bar the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) from participating in the 2022 elections.

This follows the aftermath of the chaos that marred Deputy President Willaim Ruto's Kisumu tour at Kondele. 

“The Kenya Police, National Cohesion and Integration Commission have remained aloof and have not acted in a way that would inspire confidence from Kenyans. IEBC should take action and discipline ODM Party by even disqualifying them from participating in the coming general elections.

"The IEBC needs to come out in force and say in no uncertain terms will it allow politicians inciting Kenyans to contest in the elections,” Muthama said in the statement issued on November 11, 2021.  

The ex-Machakos senator also questioned why the police didn't stop the violence if they had intelligence prior to the visit by the Deputy President. 

“Yesterday, Kenya Police issued a lame statement stating that the Deputy President had been warned of chaos prior to the visit. Nothing could be far from the truth. The question that police should answer is when did they know about the chaos, and what did they do about it to ensure the stoning does not happen and it is stopped?

"This is a commission(National Cohesion and Integration Commission) best known for organizing workshops at top hotels with nothing to show for it. The commission should by now have arrested an emerging pattern where politicians of certain political earnings have been using words that can be construed as intended to incite Kenyans,” Muthama lamented.

While selling his Bottom-Up approach model in Kondele, Ruto encountered rowdy youths who pelted his motorcade with stones.

Leaders from ODM and UDA lay the fault on each side as they blamed the attack.

Read Also: DP Ruto Was Advised to Skip Kondele After Disagreement Over Campaign Funds - Police

According to police, DP Ruto team was alerted of the tension that was brewing at Kondele due to disagreement over the distribution of campaign funds among locals. 

"Based on the intelligence gathered, there was tension within Kondele owing to the alleged distribution of campaign logistical funds amongst local groups.

"This intelligence was promptly shared by police with H.E the deputy president's team with recommendation to skip the affected area during the tour," police said.