President William Ruto’s party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), is gearing up for the 2027 General Elections with an upcoming round of internal elections and mini-polls.
The party has announced plans to consolidate its power through a series of grassroots elections set for Saturday, 10th January, across 20 strategically selected counties.
The UDA-led initiative will allow registered party members to elect leaders tasked with bringing fresh ideas, perspectives, and strategies to strengthen the party’s foundation. Of particular importance, these newly elected officials will be expected to help galvanise nationwide support to secure President Ruto’s re-election against potential challengers.
On Friday, January 2, the party’s top leadership convened at UDA headquarters for a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The session, co-chaired by Second Deputy Party Leader and Lamu Governor Issa Timamy and Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan, focused on various election-related matters and served as a strategic briefing ahead of the internal polls.
Anthony Mwaura, Chairman of UDA’s National Elections Board (NEB), provided a comprehensive update on the party’s readiness to conduct what he described as “free, fair, and credible” internal elections.
Complementing this, the Directorate of Elections, represented by Deputy Executive Director Higgins Mbugua, presented a detailed report on the status of candidate registration for the upcoming contests.
In a formal notice issued on December 23, the party listed the counties where the grassroots elections will take place. In the vote-rich Mt. Kenya region, these include Embu, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Meru, Murang’a, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Laikipia, and Tharaka Nithi.
These elections are expected to serve as a critical loyalty test for local leaders, especially in light of the charm offensive launched by immediate former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s new Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
Other counties set for the January 10 exercise include Vihiga and Kakamega in Western Kenya, and Bomet, Kericho, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nakuru, Nandi, Samburu, Trans Nzoia, and Uasin Gishu in the Rift Valley.
Confident in its preparedness and recent successes, the UDA leadership has resolved to sweep all seats in the forthcoming February 26, 2026, by-elections. These include the Member of National Assembly seat for Isiolo South Constituency and three County Assembly Ward seats: West Kabras in Malava Constituency, and Muminji and Evurore Wards in Mbeere North.
The high-stakes NEC meeting was also attended by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, National Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi, National Organising Secretary Vincent Kawaya, and Executive Director Nicodemus Bore.