UDA Postpones Grassroots Elections After Death of Johana Ng’eno
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has postponed its grassroots elections that were scheduled for Saturday, 7 March, following the death of Johana Ng’eno in a helicopter crash.
In a statement issued on Monday, 2 March, the party’s National Election Board (NEB) chair, Anthony Mwaura, said the decision was made in light of Ng’eno’s death. He described the Emurua Dikirr MP as a distinguished leader within the party’s electoral body. Ng’eno died on 28 February in a helicopter crash in Nandi County. Five other people also died in the accident. He had been travelling to attend political engagements in Nandi and Narok counties.
The party has suspended its repeat phase three grassroots polls to allow time for mourning. Funeral arrangements are under way. Preliminary reports indicate that poor weather conditions, linked to recent heavy rainfall, may have contributed to the crash.
The elections will now take place in two stages. Counties including Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kiambu, Samburu, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Baringo, Laikipia, Nakuru, Kericho, Bomet and Vihiga will vote on 14 March.
A second round, scheduled for 9 April, will cover counties in the coastal and north-eastern regions, as well as Machakos, Makueni, Turkana, Kajiado, Bungoma, Siaya, Kisumu, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira and Kakamega.
