A United Democratic Alliance grassroots meeting in Kericho ended in chaos on Saturday after delegates protested over allowances and party merchandise.
The meeting in Sosiot, Belgut Constituency, had been called to sensitize polling centre officials on the ongoing ward level grassroots elections.
It was meant to be routine, but tempers flared quickly.Delegates accused officials of unfair distribution of T-shirts and caps, and of ignoring their welfare.
“We need sitting allowance, like how we have heard in other areas. But today we have not received even traveling allowance,” said Patrick Korir, a delegate from Nyabangi, who said other counties were paying their officials.
The argument split the hall. Some members said they felt undermined and not consulted on party activities. As shouting grew, a section walked out chanting “Wantam” the one term slogan popular with opposition supporters calling for President William Ruto to serve only one term.
UDA officials called police to calm the situation, but the meeting was forced to end prematurely.
The incident adds to a string of disruptions facing UDA in its heartlands, coming just a week after violence at a UDA delegates meeting in Embu’s Nembure Stadium which left one person dead and vehicles torched.
For many grassroots members, the message was clear that without respect and facilitation, loyalty is fading.
