UDA Elections: Johnson Sakaja, MP Gakuya's Supporters Clash In South B, Chase Away Poll Officials

• Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya supporters clashed on Friday, May 31, in South B
• The clashing camps chased away a poll official who was rescued by police from the agitated crowd at the polling center
• Gakuya wants to take over The United Democratic Alliance Party (UDA) Nairobi chairmanship, which Governor Sakaja is currently holding

The ongoing United Democratic Alliance Party (UDA) elections have been surrounded by drama and chaos in Nairobi.

The party has been conducting its grassroots elections across the country in the run-up to August. The elections will be conducted in four phases.

What happened in South B, Nairobi?

During the elections in Nairobi's South B, supporters of Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya clashed at the polls.

The supporters chased away a poll official who was officiating the elections. The agitated crowd asked the officer out of the polling centre.

"Wacha aende, wewe enda," a voice said.

However, police came to the rescue of the officer and escorted her to their vehicle, leaving the two sides chanting their songs.

What were the clashing group chanting?

The two sides were chanting, trying to intimidate each other. The two camps defended their leaders side by side.

"Sakaja must go. Sakaja must go. Sakaja must go," Gakuya supporters chanted.

The two UDA leaders clashed over the Nairobi county chairmanship, which is currently under Sakaja.

In response to Gakuya's supporters, Sakaja's supporters chanted that the Nairobi governor was their leader.

"Sakaja kiboko yako, Sakaja kiboko yao," Sakaja supporters replied.

UDA leaders' fights

The UDA party, in the recent days, has witnessed fracas and exchange of words and blame games among members.

Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga had said he would ensure Cleophas Malala is removed from his position as the party Secretary General.

Kahiga said the remarks made by Malala to expel him from the ruling party were hot air.

On Friday, May 31, Malala confirmed that the party's Facebook page had been hacked, naming Brain Khaniri as a suspect.

He urged the party supporters to ignore the information and communications made until the issue has been worked on.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke