Due takeover of UDM transforms its fortunes

By Stephen MakabilaThe expected takeover of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) by Rift Valley MPs allied to Eldoret North MP William Ruto seems to have transformed the party’s fortunes.

Last Wednesday’s by-elections were a major political boost for the party, which won several civic seats even outside its perceived strongholds.
“The change of guard in the top leadership of the party has effectively used its nationwide network to ensure that the party captured these seats. We assure our members that we will traverse all corners of the country to market the party in readiness for 2012,” said Martin ole Kamwaro, a party official.

Kamwaro said performance of the party in the just concluded by-election has demonstrated that it enjoys nationwide support and was not a Rift Valley based political party, as perceived by some.

Transparent nominations

“We attribute our performance to a number of things that we did right and this includes how transparently and fairly we conducted our nominations,” added Kamwaro.

The party took the lion’s share of the civic by-elections, winning four seats out of the ten that were up for grabs. The party won a seat in Kilifi County, two in Meru and another in Rift Valley.

ODM, which is considered the biggest political party in the country, won two seats in Nyanza, while Kanu won two. Shirikisho and PNU won one seat each in by-elections held across the country.

Ruto, who has fallen out with his party boss Raila Odinga, has sent strong signals that he and those in his camp were headed for UDM. Even though he has not declared as much, those in his camp say UDM seems to be a party to watch.