President William Ruto has for the first time commented on the ongoing United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party grassroot elections.

On Saturday, June 8, Ruto chaired UDA Party National Executive Committee (NEC) at State House where a raft of decisions was made on the ongoing party elections.

During the meeting, the National Election Board (NEB) gave their brief on the ongoing polls and President Ruto gave his nod on the poll’s transparency.

The President asked the NEB Chairman Eng. Anthony Mwaura to proceed with County level elections in the counties of Homabay and Busia, whose constituency polls were not challenged.

On Nairobi where two camps are at loggerheads on the process of elections, Ruto directed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to lead in negotiations that will lead to a political settlement.

“Nairobi’s polls can be held on the same day as the other two counties,” he said.

However, he directed that the elections in Narok and West Pokot, which have been contested in court be suspended pending the outcome of the disputes.

“Where the courts have issued orders stopping the election, we have to postpone. We must respect court orders,” Ruto said.

Additionally, Ruto settled the contentious issue of composition of the National Delegates Conference.

The NEC adopted the formula on sharing of delegates on county basis depending on the presidential vote that each county returned to the UDA presidential candidate in 2022 elections.

This process will see counties that garnered over 50 percent produce 20 delegates each to the NDC, with others below that mark sharing other slots on pro-rata basis.

Further, the President gave NEB the go-ahead to proceed with phase two elections in 13 counties.

In another statement, UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala said the Committee issued appropriate directions to ensure the satisfaction of all contestants and proper remedial measures of any disputes arising from the elections.

The Committee emphasized that the elections shall continue as scheduled and the process shall be carried out through the UDA electronic voting system.

“The committee acknowledged the party’s capacity to handle internal disputes among members. It urged the activation of the Internal Disputes Resolution Committee to ensure disputes among members are resolved amicably,” read the statement.

NEC encouraged party members with election disputes to utilize all internal dispute resolution mechanisms before exploring other options.

Malala further reiterated the importance of respecting the party organs and officials.

“NEC emphasized that discipline is the engine that oils the party. This follows recent occurrences where party members violated election rules and regulations and instances where party members contradicted and or disrespected senior party officials on party positions,” read the statement.

The NEC urged the Internal Disciplinary Committee to activate itself and address these issues promptly.

The meeting of the Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group scheduled for Monday, June 10 at the State House, Naieobi has been postponed.

President William Ruto was scheduled to chair the meeting aimed at deliberating on the Finance Bill 2024 and the position lawmakers should take in the governing coalition.

Senate Majority Leader and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot revealed that the meeting was called off and rescheduled for a later date (June 17) following a request from the MPs.

He said lawmakers had requested more time for the National Assembly Finance and Planning Committee to take more views from taxpayers and other stakeholders.

“A PG would take place on Monday. But it was postponed after MPs requested more time to complete the report after meeting stakeholders on the bill,” Cheruiyot said.

The senator, however, dismissed the belief that the delay was due to perceived tension in the ruling coalition, which has seen divisions of late.

The Finance Bill 2024 is yet to be tabled in the National Assembly for its first reading as it goes through the legislative process.

Kenyans have poked holes in the tax proposals there, arguing that it will damage their economic well-being.

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga criticized the bill, saying the country will become worse if it is not revised.

In a statement on Friday, June 8, Raila said the country’s tax burden is at its highest level since independence, but public services have remained largely on their knees.

The former Prime Minister pointed out that the Finance Bill 2024 does not comply with the tax dictums of predictability, simplicity, transparency, equality, administrative convenience and fairness.

He called the bill a regressive tax that will hit low-income people with taxes on more fronts than high-income people.

“It is worse than 2023, an investment killer and a huge millstone around the necks of millions of poor Kenyans who must have hoped that the tears they shed over taxes last year would make the government reduce the tax burden in 2024, ” read the statement in part.

The opposition leader also highlighted the proposed taxes on bread and edible oil, saying this would lead to food costs rising.