President William Ruto has announced that his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party will not field a candidate in the upcoming Ugunja by-election.
The decision, he says, is a result of an agreement with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to foster a “broad-based government.”
Speaking to residents in Ugunja town on his way to lay the foundation for the new Sidindi Market, the Head of State confirmed the unprecedented arrangement.
“We have agreed with the ODM party that because we are in a broad-based government, there is a need to only field one candidate in the coming by-elections,” President Ruto said.
The by-election, scheduled for November 27, was necessitated by the resignation of former area MP Opiyo Wandayi, who was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Energy.
With UDA stepping aside, the contest has now been effectively narrowed to the ODM party primaries, turning the by-election into a battle for the Orange party’s ticket.
Three candidates are currently vying for the coveted nomination: ZB Owino, Otieno Alur, and the former constituency manager, Moses Omondi.
Political analysts have identified Omondi as the frontrunner, noting the strong influence his former boss, Wandayi, holds within the ODM party.
The President’s move, therefore, not only avoids a direct political clash but also hands the advantage to the region’s dominant party.
