President William Ruto chairing a UDA Party National Executive Committee (NEC) at State House on June 8, 2024.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has suspended its grassroots elections in three counties pending dispute resolutions.

During a party National Executive Committee (NEC) chaired by President William Ruto in State House on Saturday, the party's head directed that polls in Narok and West Pokot will remain on halt pending the outcome of court contentions.

He further asked National Election Board (NEB) Chairman Eng. Anthony Mwaura to proceed with elections in Homa Bay and Busia counties where polls were not challenged.

"Where the courts have issued orders stopping the election, we have to postpone. We must respect court orders," said Ruto.

In Nairobi County, where Governor Johnson Sakaja and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya are at loggerheads in the race to the party’s chairmanship seat in the capital, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was tasked to head the negotiations.

"Nairobi's polls can be held on the same day as the other two counties," said Ruto.

Phase two of the party's nationwide grassroots polls will now proceed in 13 counties.

In May, chaos erupted at several polling centers UDA's grassroots elections in parts of Nairobi, leading to the cancellation of the exercise.

At the South B center, Governor Sakaja's supporters clashed with those backing MP Gakuya.

The situation escalated when a group of youths stormed the center, forcing election officials to be whisked to safety. A blame game ensued between the factions, with Sakaja’s supporters lodging complaints at the party’s headquarters.