A political storm is brewing in Turkana after two United Democratic Alliance (UDA) politicians appeared to defy President William Ruto’s broad-based political strategy by backing a rival candidate in the upcoming by-elections.
Despite their affiliation with UDA, Loima MP Protus Akujah and former County Speaker Chris Nakuleu have thrown their weight behind a United Democratic Movement (UDM) candidate, signaling deepening cracks within the ruling party’s local ranks and escalating tensions with Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai.
The two leaders openly campaigned last Saturday for the UDM candidate contesting the Lake Zone MCA seat in the November by-election — a move that directly contradicts Governor Lomorukai’s declared support for the UDA candidate.
This comes just weeks after President Ruto struck a political pact with UDM, in which the party agreed to step down its candidate in one of its strongholds, a gesture that surprised many and was meant to project national unity within the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Speaking recently, President Ruto emphasized that he enjoys broad-based support across the country and is keen to demonstrate that inclusivity through upcoming by-elections.
Meanwhile, in the Western (Luhya) region, major political parties have stepped aside in favor of UDA candidates, reflecting a united front behind the President’s broader political agenda.
However, political analysts view the actions of Akujah and Nakuleu as a calculated provocation that could undermine UDA’s influence in Turkana. Their defiance, observers warn, risks portraying internal divisions within the party at a time when Ruto is working to consolidate his national support base.
