President William Ruto chairs a joint ODM–Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group meeting in Karen alongside opposition leader Raila Odinga on August 18, 2025.
President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) are considering fielding joint candidates in some of the forthcoming by-elections to avert possible fallout between the two partner parties.
On Sunday, President Ruto announced that UDA and ODM had agreed to back one candidate in Ugunja Constituency, which fell vacant after its MP, Opiyo Wandayi (ODM), was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum.
The Nation has established that a similar arrangement could also be adopted in Kasipul and Magarini constituencies as the parties seek to avoid sibling rivalry that might cost them seats.
“You know there will be a by-election in this constituency. I appointed your MP to the Energy docket. We have agreed with ODM that UDA will not field a candidate here. We shall have one joint candidate supported by both ODM and UDA,” said President Ruto in Ugunja on Sunday.
The remarks contrasted with UDA’s earlier declaration that it would field candidates in ODM strongholds — a move that would have triggered confrontation between the two sides.
Through its National Elections Board (NEB), UDA had previously announced plans to contest all 23 vacant seats in the November 27, 2025, mini-polls. These include Ugunja, Kasipul, Banisa, Magarini, Malava and Mbeere North constituencies, the Baringo senatorial seat, as well as 16 wards across the country. Ugunja, Kasipul and Magarini have traditionally been ODM strongholds.
President William Ruto (centre), Deputy President Kithure Kindiki (right), and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during a Joint Parliamentary Group Meeting at the KCB Leadership Centre on August 18, 2025.
In return, ODM is expected not to field candidates in Banisa, Malava, Mbeere North or Baringo. The move appears to be part of wider negotiations and zoning agreements under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two parties in March. ODM has announced that it will only field candidates in Ugunja, Kasipul, Magarini and 13 wards.
“The Central Committee resolved that ODM will field candidates in the forthcoming by-elections scheduled for November 27, 2025, in all but seven of the 23 electoral areas... ,” said ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna after a Central Management Committee meeting chaired by Mr Odinga last Thursday.
Mr Sifuna admitted recently that ODM had lost some support due to its partnership with UDA, but defended the arrangement as a necessary compromise to safeguard the coalition’s interests.
Orange Democratic Movement Party's Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna in Saboti Constituency, Trans Nzoia County on August 3, 2025.
Meanwhile, UDA’s elections board has invited aspirants for all vacant positions to apply ahead of nominations slated for September 20, 2025.
“Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for nomination by registering through the UDA party portal. The registration period will commence on August 14, 2025, and close on September 5, 2025, at 5pm,” said NEB Chairman Anthony Mwaura.
For UDA, the by-elections will be an opportunity to demonstrate grassroots dominance, while ODM will seek to reaffirm its traditional support bases in areas where its influence has waned.
The by-elections come against the backdrop of a series of vacancies created through deaths, appointments and court rulings. Kasipul Constituency fell vacant following the assassination of MP Charles Ong’ondo Were on April 30 in Nairobi. In Baringo, the senatorial seat opened after the death of William Cheptumo (UDA) in February, while the Banisa parliamentary seat became vacant after MP Hassan Kullow (UDM) died in a road accident in March.
Malava and Magarini constituencies will also head to the polls following the death of Malulu Injendi (UDA) and the Supreme Court’s nullification of Harrison Kombe’s (ODM) election, respectively.
Political analysts say the mini-polls will serve as a litmus test for Kenya’s electoral preparedness, the credibility of the reconstituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and the realignment of political forces ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The contests are shaping up as a political battlefield for President Ruto, Mr Odinga, and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, whose emerging influence in parts of Mt Kenya and Eastern Kenya has unsettled both UDA and ODM.
In Mbeere North, for instance, analysts say President Ruto’s camp will face a stiff battle to reclaim the seat.
