UDA party secretary general Omar Hassan.
Political parties have begun to strategise independently for the 2027 General Election after the November 27 mini-polls that involved negotiations and zoning in some regions.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) says it will not allow zoning with other Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties or the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which is part of the broad-based government, in the General Election.
UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar said party elections slated for January 10, 2026, would assist it in its grassroots structures.
“We have identified candidates to be given direct tickets as they are strong in the party. In Kilifi, for instance, UDA will field Jimmy Kahindi for governor after former Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa announced her exit from the ruling party last weekend,” Mr Omar said.
Ms Jumwa shifted to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi-led Pamoja African Alliance, an affiliate of Kenya Kwanza, which she described as a “home-grown party”. She added that she talked to her supporters and the PAA leadership before making the move.
Politician Aisha Jumwa.
During the by-elections, Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties dropped bids for the Magarini constituency seat and backed ODM’s Harrison Kombe. UDA candidate Stanley Kenga defected to the Democracy for the Citizens Party in protest.
The party did not field candidates in other constituencies considered ODM strongholds in Nyanza – Ugunja and Kasipul. ODM did not field candidates for the Baringo Senate seat by-election, Mbeere North constituency and others.
Some candidates in Kenya Kwanza’s affiliate parties who were convinced to drop their bids were given government jobs. Mr Kenga rejected such an appointment.
The shifts of party allegiance in Kilifi signal a wider move by political outfits to be free of the pre- and post-2022 agreements ahead of 2027.
Parties stand to gain more in alliances based on what they bring to the table. ODM’s dalliance with UDA has complicated matters for smaller parties that were part of Kenya Kwanza in 2022.
ODM Leader Oburu Oginga said that though candidates under the broad-based arrangement won the parliamentary seats in the by-elections, the party needs to be strengthened.
ODM party leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga.
“Our party must remain strong. ODM is a national party, not for any particular area,” he said.
During an event in Nairobi to host ODM members who won in the by-elections, the Siaya Senator indicated that the party intends to field candidates nationwide in 2027. He said the broad-based arrangement has a specific objective that does not go beyond the General Election.
"If we don't work hard to make our party strong, we will be taken for granted. We are a party with a vision and want to continue working for the people. Broad-based is an arrangement of 10 points which we want to see implemented before the General Election," he said.
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