The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party will not be fielding a candidate in the forthcoming Eldas by-election.

This was said in a statement issued by the UDA secretary-general Veronica Macharia on Wednesday.

"Following extensive consultation with the community of Eldas Ward, UDA wishes to announce that we shall not be fielding a candidate to contest for the vacant position of Member of County Assembly," she said.

UDA’s decision to withdraw from the race was informed by the fact that the Eldas community expressed their wish to have a member of the late MCA Ibrahim Abbas’ family replace him.

The party said it stands with Abbas’ family and respects the wishes of the Eldas community.

Ibrahim Abbas. PHOTO/COURTESY

The Eldas ward seat was left vacant following the death of MCA Ibrahim Abbas on July 4, 2021, after a brief illness.

UDA had invited applications for three upcoming ward by-elections from interested applicants.

The three wards preparing for by-election include Eldas in Wajir County, Nguu/Masumba in Makueni County and Kiagu in Meru County.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) scheduled the by-elections for October 14, 2021.