President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has announced the date for its grassroots elections in 20 counties, including Mt Kenya, the home turf of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua .
The party’s National Elections Board (NEB) said polling centre elections in the affected counties will be conducted on January 10, 2026, before the exercise progresses to the ward, constituency and county levels.
President William Ruto addresses delegates during UDA's National Governing Council meeting at the Bomas of Kenya on September 29, 2023.
UDA began its ambitious grassroots elections in April 2024 but was forced to halt the process after the June nationwide Gen Z protests having only completed the polls in Busia and Homa Bay from the five counties initially lined up in the first phase.
In April this year, the party completed grassroots elections in 22 more counties bringing the total so far to 27.
In the final phase, the elections will be conducted in Embu, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Meru, Murang’a, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Tharaka Nithi counties.
In the Rift Valley, the polls will be held in Baringo, Bomet, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kericho, Nakuru, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu and Samburu, while in Western, they will take place in Kakamega and Vihiga counties.
“It was resolved that the party conducts grassroots elections in the remaining 20 counties where the polls have not been held. Polling centre elections will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026,” said NEB Chairman Anthony Mwaura.
The decision was made following a joint meeting between UDA’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Elections Board (NEB) chaired by Deputy President and UDA deputy party leader Kithure Kindiki .
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
“Registration for aspirants wishing to take part in the election will start on December 4, 2025 at 12 noon, when the portals will be opened. This exercise will close on December 23, 2025 at 5pm. After registration, aspirants will have a campaign period running up to January 10, when elections will be conducted,” said Mr Mwaura.
At the polling centre level, the ruling party will elect 20 officials. According to a party document titled Grassroots Election Guide, members will elect: three representatives of religious groups, four representatives of traders, three representatives of professionals, four youth representatives and one representative for Special Interest Groups. They ill also elect three representatives of farmers, – and two party members—a man and a woman.
Fallout between Ruto and Gachagua
The party was previously seen as reluctant to conduct grassroots elections in Mt Kenya following the bitter fallout between President Ruto and Mr Gachagua, who was impeached in October 2024.
The decision to proceed with the elections in the region perceived to be drifting away from President Ruto comes barely a week after UDA’s victory in the Mbeere North by-election.
Newly elected Mbeere North MP Leonard Muthende shares a light moment with President William Ruto.
Photo credit: PSCU
The win is a major boost to the ruling party, helping sustain perceptions of its popularity at a time when the President is preparing for a re-election bid.
The November 27 mini-poll was widely viewed as a referendum on Dr Ruto’s administration, which has struggled to regain public support following the June 2024 Gen Z protests. It was also a test of emerging political realignments in the populous Mt Kenya region amid the President’s fallout with Mr Gachagua.
Democratic Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua speaks during the official unveiling of the party’s elected members to the County Assembly at DCP headquarters in Nairobi on December 3, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Once a near religion in Mt Kenya — where UDA swept most seats in the 2022 General Election — the party now faces an uncertain future amid growing hostility following Mr Gachagua’s impeachment.
Some UDA leaders from the region have been avoiding political activities there over fears of backlash, even as Mr Gachagua continues to fan anti-Ruto sentiment and promises to lead Mt Kenya away from UDA.
By pushing ahead with grassroots elections, President Ruto appears determined to retain the region as a key support base.
Mt Kenya’s 10 counties and the seven from the North Rift together delivered 4.5 million votes — 63 per cent of Dr Ruto’s total votes in 2022.
Laikipia, Tharaka Nithi, Murang’a, Kiambu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Embu, Meru and Nakuru collectively gave Dr Ruto nearly 3 million votes. From the North Rift, the President secured 1.6 million votes.
Party elections in Kenya have historically been divisive and chaotic, often triggering fallouts. This has made many political outfits avoid internal polls altogether.
