President William Ruto with UDA delegates and Raila Odinga with ODM delegates.
Kenya is grappling with a crisis of internal party democracy as political outfits struggle to conduct grassroots elections.
From violence and delays to “favouritism” and manipulation, party elections are increasingly becoming a headache for politicians and citizens alike, yet it remains a requirement by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu says parties should strive to ensure their elections are peaceful.
“Focus appears to be on the main parties as they have a huge following. We condemn violence and advise them to conduct smooth polls,” Ms Nderitu said.
She added that smaller parties mainly use consensus instead of taking the ballot route.
The recent Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) elections were marred by violence, with some people sustaining serious injuries.
Members of ODM during a meeting at the party office in Ndhiwa Town in Homa Bay County on April 4, 2025.
Like Mr Raila Odinga’s ODM, the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of President William Ruto is under pressure as it embarks on an ambitious nationwide grassroots elections that began on Friday and were expected to conclude on Saturday.
President Ruto has promised a transparent and robust election to rejuvenate his party’s support, especially after internal discontent following the impeachment of his deputy Rigathi Gachagua last year.
Daniel Ouma Omuonya (centre), the new ODM chairman for Langas Ward in Kapseret Constituency, Uasin Gishu County. He takes Omuonya takes over from Michael Ombucha third (right).
ODM, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Party and former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee face challenges in managing internal rivalries.
Top leadership
The perception that party elections are pre-determined by top leadership has led to apathy, defections and parallel polls in some regions.
Financial constraints affect operations in the leading outfits due to delays by the Exchequer to release funds.
UDA, for instance, planned to spend Sh104 million on its grassroots elections in 22 counties that are to culminate in a National Delegates Convention in August to elect national officials.
UDA National Elections Board chairman Anthony Mwaura said the party turned to well-wishers for money due to delays by the National Treasury to release funds.
UDA National Elections Board (NEB) Chairman Anthony Mwaura says the party has hired helicopters to transport ballot papers to areas where vehicles cannot access.
“The amount is for hiring two helicopters, boats and vehicles to ferry the election materials as well as pay the returning officers and those calibrating the gadgets for use,” he said.
UDA Phase Two elections at centre level were conducted in Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado, Taita Taveta, Kisii and Nyamira on Friday.
The elections were to be held in Garissa, Tana River, Bungoma, Turkana, Migori, Kisumu, Siaya, Isiolo, Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu yesterday.
The UDA elections started in April last year but were abandoned due to the nationwide anti-government protests in June.
Nyali MP Mohamed Ali on Friday threatened to snub UDA elections.
Deep neck cuts
“UDA belongs to the people, not an individual. We are ready move to another party if the situation does not change,” Mr Ali said.
During the ODM elections on Monday, a young man’s wrist was severed while another sustained deep neck cuts in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County.
The 25-year-old whose wrist was severed was identified as Elaine Omondi. Mr David Oluoch was seriously injured in the neck and fractured his left arm when he was attacked at Buche Primary School.
ODM Secretary for Communication and Publicity Affairs Rahab Robi said investigations into the Homa Bay incidents have begun.
Political analyst Javas Bigambo says violence remains an inhibition to democracy.
“Even when parties have been institutionalised and freedom and rights constitutionally entrenched, violence continues to rear its ugly head,” he says.
jjochieng@ke.nationmedia.com
