UDA Candidate Demands a Refund of Sh500,000 From the Party
Zachariah Baraza, an aspirant for the Bungoma governor’s seat has demanded back the Sh500,000 he paid as nomination fees to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Leah Mukangai 
Zachariah Baraza hoped to unseat Governor Wycliffe Wangamati on a UDA ticket in the August General Election but was surprised to learn that UDA had other plans for him. Under a Kenya Kwanza arrangement, the UDA party chose to support Mr. Lusaka.
His fate appears to have been sealed during a meeting on Monday with UDA top officials, who asked him to drop his ambitions in order to make way for Mr. Lusaka.
As a result, Mr. Baraza has given the UDA party seven days to refund the money, which he intends to use to renovate dilapidated schools in Bungoma's nine constituencies.
The disgruntled politician has now declared his intention to run for governor as an independent candidate.
The politician's protests came as five UDA-allied MPs in Bungoma pledged their support for Mr. Lusaka.
According to the politician, areas thought to be predominantly pro-Ruto had attracted tens of candidates for various seats, but no one was pressuring them to negotiate. He questioned the DP's desire to impose a governor on Bungoma voters.
He also claimed that Dr. Ruto promised voters that no preferred leaders would be imposed.
DP William Ruto and Zachariah Baraza, an aspirant for the Bungoma governor’s seat. PHOTO FILE
“If the DP knew that he was going to back Mr. Lusaka and ask me to shelve my bid, he should not have asked me to pay the Sh500,000 for nomination fees," he stated.
He further accused the DP of preaching water while drinking wine, as evidenced by his political actions.
Mr. Baraza claimed that the Sh500,000 would be better spent on school cement.
On Tuesday, the aspirant delivered 50 bags of cement to Khelela Primary School in Tongaren constituency, as well as Sh10,000 to improve the school's toilets.
He bemoaned the state of Tongaren's schools, claiming that he had seen about 18 of them in desperate need of repair.
“Education being a key factor in the development of any society, I will remain committed to improving the learning conditions in this county (by upgrading) infrastructure," he added.
Baraza has also promised that if he is elected governor in August, needy and vulnerable residents would receive NHIF cards to help them access treatment.
