Duped, then locked out: Lawyer sues UDA over CS promise and locked portal
Politics
By
Kamau Muthoni
| Mar 01, 2026
Former UDA SG Veronica Maina at the 2022 General Election National Tallying centre, Bomas of Kenya Auditorium, Nairobi. August 11, 2022. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]
An advocate has moved to the High Court to challenge the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) nomination of President William Ruto as the party’s 2027 flag bearer.
In his case, Jephnei Orina claimed deception during the 2022 party primaries, where he contested against Dr Ruto and Tracy Wanjiru, and further alleged deliberate exclusion of presidential hopefuls in the just-concluded application process.
Orina argued that the ruling party’s processes fall short of democracy and fairness.
He stated that he holds life membership number 015LM000172 and intends to seek nomination as the UDA Presidential Candidate for 2027.
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However, he said that the party had opened its portal for all other positions but had blocked the presidential candidate’s position.
“The constitutional violation has already occurred, and its effects are continuing by shaping nomination frameworks, campaign preparedness, party legitimacy, and access to political infrastructure. The Petition raises serious questions concerning ongoing and habitual violations of Articles 27, 38, 47, and 91 of the Constitution, extending beyond a single event into a recurring pattern of political exclusion,” argued Orina.
Orina said that following the 2022 primaries, he had serious reservations about the whole exercise, which prompted him to file a case challenging Ruto’s election as the party’s flagbearer.
He alleged that the then UDA Secretary General, nominated Senator Veronica Maina, reached out to him with a promise that he would be appointed a Cabinet Secretary for youths if he would abandon his challenge.
Orina stated that he agreed to the condition.
Nevertheless, according to him, the promise was just hot air as the party’s leadership did not honour its end of the bargain.
“Despite the petitioner's compliance, the promised appointment was never made, nor was any explanation or corrective action provided. 'This conduct demonstrates a pattern of marginalization, inducement, and denial of political participation, establishing repeated violations of Articles 27, 38, 47, and 91 of the Constitution,” he continued.
Orina sued UDA, the party’s election board, its Secretary General Hassan Omar, its chair Anthony Mwaura, and Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi.
He said that on January 21, 2026, they issued a public notice inviting party members to register for a UDA party aspirants' forum, which was scheduled for February 4, 2026, in preparation for the 2027 General Election.
“The notice provided for participation by aspirants contesting all elective positions except the presidency and party flagbearer positions, thereby excluding the petitioner and other presidential aspirants,” he continued.
According to him, the party’s farm has animals that are more equal than others. He asserted that the 2022 unkept promise and the 2027 closed case were a clear-cut illustration that the party was not ready to allow competitive politics at the top.
“The respondents' repeated conduct, including exclusionary practices since the 2022 primaries, demonstrates a deliberate, knowing, and habitual marginalisation of the petitioner, evidencing bad faith, abuse of power, and systemic inequality in party governance,” argued Orina.
He now wants the court to force UDA to pay him Sh387 million as compensation. At the same time, he is seeking an order to force the president’s party to open the portal for anyone interested to challenge the president in the party primaries.