URP spells out nomination rules

United Republican Party on Wednesday spelt out its nomination rules as it assembled over 2,000 aspirants seeking the party’s ticket for various seats in the coming General Election.

The party also announced clustered nomination fees to be paid by various aspirants, where presidential aspirants will have to pay Sh1 million while those vying for county representative seats will have to part with Sh50,000.

Eldoret North MP William Ruto, who is an aspirant for the party’s presidential ticket, led 19 MPs at national aspirants’ forum held at the Nyayo stadium in Nairobi.

Some delegates protested that the party had set its fee very high, and warned that the move would lock out financially vulnerable individuals like women and the youth.

“The nomination fee will not be reduced but it can be waived if you apply for exemption with proof that you have no money,” Mr Ruto told the delegates.

The party announced that those seeking its running mate’s position will have to pay a clearance fee of Sh500,000, gubernatorial and senatorial positions Sh200,000, parliamentary and women representatives Sh100,000.

Mr Ruto told delegates that the party was developing a guiding campaign manifesto anchored on five pillars — equity, youth empowerment, security, infrastructure and transformational leadership, to be launched later.

“This contest is not a race between cats, mules, donkeys and horses… but a race between ideas that will transform Kenya,” the URP leader said.

URP executive director Dixon Korir said aspirants would be allowed to pay in instalments if they were unable to raise the fee at once.

But some of the delegates complained over Mr Ruto’s announcement that he had picked Minister Chirau Mwakwere as his running mate.

“Will there be any need for any of us to seek the position of running mate when Mr Mwakwere appears to have been picked in advance?” a delegate asked.

MPs Kazungu Kambi and Aden Duale were in attendance.