Ruto's UDA Names 15 For EALA As Gideon Moi Pulls Out

The United Democratic Alliance Party (UDA) has unveiled 15 people it has nominated to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

The list of members was decided upon by the party's selection committee on Wednesday, November 9.

The nominated candidates include former nominated Member of Parliament (MP) David Sankok, Mombasa Gubernatorial Aspirant Hassan Omar, Rebecca Merikeju Lowoiya and Zipporah Kering.

Godfrey Maina Karobia, Joel Okengo Nyambane, Fredrick Muteti Charles, Falhadha Dekow Iman, and Dr Abdikadir Omar Aden were also named.

Former Nominated MP, David Sankok. /FILE

Others include Anne Too, Jonas Misto V. Kuko, Cyprian Kubai Iringo, Lilian Cheptoo Tomitom, Yasser Ali Sheikh Bajaber, and Salim Mohammed Busidy.

Meanwhile, former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, who unsuccessfully vied for the Baringo Senatorial race, pulled out of the EALA race to allow other legislators to be nominated by Azimio la Umoja.

"Moi has since withdrawn his candidature so as to give the opportunity to the other candidates. He wishes them the best of luck in their endeavours," KANU Secretary of Political Affairs Fred Okango confirmed the decision of the chairman.

Moi was nominated for the position alongside former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's daughter Winnie Odinga, former Mombasa gubernatorial aspirant Suleiman Shahbal and former Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito.

Others who were featured in the list released by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Wednesday, November 9, included former Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire and Former Turkana Water and Irrigation CEC Beatrice Askul. 

While defending the nominated candidates, ODM stated that the process was overseen by top party officials who reduced the list to the final six.

The nominees will be presented to Parliament for vetting and approval on their suitability for the EALA slots before the joint Committee on the election of the EALA.

The major political parties in parliament will then nominate their respective nominees for the nine available slots for Kenya in the Arusha-based Assembly. 

Kenya has nine seats in the East African Legislative Assembly. Five of the nine will go to the Kenya Kwanza coalition while four will go to the Azimio la Umoja coalition, meaning the six nominated by ODM face intense competition from affiliate party members in the race to determine who will compose the final four to make it to the assembly.

Independent candidates are also allowed to contest the regional seats before a final verdict is made through a secret ballot.

The tenure of the current EALA members is set to expire on December 17, 2022.

Former Baringo senator, Gideon Moi. /FILE