More than 12,000 politicians, including high-profile losers from the 2022 polls and current officeholders seeking higher positions, have applied to run on the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, increasing pressure on incumbents.
UDA data shows 149 aspirants eyeing the 47 governor seats and another 279 seeking the party’s ticket for senate. In the Woman Representative contest, 323 have applied, while 1,372 aspirants are contesting in the 290 constituencies. The largest contest is for 1,450 wards, with 10,230 aspirants lining up. In total, 12,353 aspirants have been registered.
The party formed a ‘UDA Aspirants Forum’ and asked those seeking a 2027 ticket to register ahead of today’s State House meeting with President William Ruto. The registration marks the formal start of the 2027 political contest.
Notable governor aspirants include Evans Kidero (Nairobi), Isaac Rutto (Bomet), Tinderet MP Julius Melly and former governor Cleophas Lagat (Nandi), Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa (Bungoma), former CS Peninah Malonza (Kitui), former governor Granton Samboja (Taita-Taveta) and Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a (Kiambu).
Others are former Rarieda MP Nicolas Gumbo (Siaya), Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, Pokot South MP David Pkosing, Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki and Tharaka MP George Murugara. Former CS Moses Kuria is seeking the Gatundu South MP seat.
President William Ruto during the UDA National Governing Council meeting at State House, Nairobi on January 26, 2026.
Photo credit: PCS
The UDA party has raised quick cash through registration fees. A notice by UDA National Elections Board Chairman Anthony Mwaura on January 21 requires MCA aspirants to pay Sh2,000, while those vying for MP, Woman Rep or Senator seats pay Sh5,000.
Governor hopefuls pay Sh10,000, and presidential aspirants part with Sh100,000. The exercise has netted the party Sh31.82 million, including Sh20.46 million from MCA candidates.
In Nairobi, Governor Johnson Sakaja faces eight contenders for the party ticket, including his deputy James Njoroge Muchiri and former governor Dr Kidero. Other aspirants include Lucheri Milton, Mark Ng’ang’a, Wilfred Nyaera, Kendrick Orony, Stephen Otieno and Patrick Musili. In Baringo, former governor Stanley Kiptis returns to UDA after running independently in 2022. Governor Benjamin Cheboi is serving his final term. Sixteen aspirants are seeking the party ticket for governor, six for Senate, 30 for Woman Rep, 84 for MP and 479 for MCA.
In Bomet, Mr Rutto, the Judicial Service Commission Vice Chair, has joined UDA to vie for governor. The seat has three aspirants, nine for Senate, Woman Rep (17), MP (55) and MCA (366).
In Bungoma, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa seeks to succeed Governor Ken Lusaka. Other aspirants are Jenepher Chemtai, Dennis Nyongesa and Sophy Waliaula. Senate and Woman Rep seats have five aspirants each, MP (42) and MCA (263).
In Busia, there are no governor aspirants, but the party has eight for Senate, 13 for Woman Rep, 27 for MP and 213 for MCA.
In Elgeyo Marakwet, Governor Wisley Rotich faces nine rivals for the UDA ticket. The senate seat has 15 aspirants, Woman Rep (10), MP (43) and MCA (278).
President William Ruto, his deputy Prof Kindiki Kithure and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi arrive for the UDA National Governing Council meeting at State House, Nairobi on January 26, 2026.
Photo credit: PCS
In Embu, Governor Cecily Mbarire, also the UDA national chairperson, is unopposed. The senate seat has 10 aspirants, Woman Rep (five), MP (13) and MCA (103). In Garissa, former Governor Ali Korane is currently the sole UDA gubernatorial aspirant. No one has applied for senate; four are running for Woman Rep, MP (13) and MCA (55).
In Homa Bay, Owidi Odoyo, Mark Matunga and Titus Okello Owiti contest the gubernatorial seat. Five others seek the senate seat, Woman Rep (five), MP (25) and MCA (252). The county remains an ODM stronghold.
In Isiolo, Anna Mohamed Libani and Mohammed Roba are vying for governor. Woman Rep has two aspirants, MP (eight) and MCA (47). In Kajiado, Peris Tobiko is the only gubernatorial aspirant for now, seeking to succeed Governor Joseph Ole Lenku. Senate has four aspirants, Woman Rep (one), MP (18) and MCA (157).
In Kakamega, Deputy Governor Ayub Savula (DAP-K) is challenging his boss Governor Farnandez Barasa (ODM). Other governor aspirants are Amukowa Anangwe and Elikana Anami. Senate has 12 aspirants same as Woman Rep, while MP has attracted 43 contestants and MCA (355).
Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
In Kericho, Governor Eric Mutai faces 12 rivals while the Senate race has 11 aspirants, Woman Rep (17), MP (71) and MCA (478).
In Kiambu, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a is among three aspirants challenging Governor Kimani Wamatangi. The Senate contest has drawn nine aspirants, Woman Rep (six), MP (31) and MCA (469). Mr Kuria, the former Trade CS, seeks the Gatundu South MP seat.
In Kilifi, Jimmy Kahindi is running for governor against ODM’s Gideon Mung’aro. The Senate race has attracted four candidates, Woman Rep (five), MP (19) and MCA (114). In Kirinyaga, MP Joseph Gitari vies for governor as Anne Waiguru ends her final term. The Senate and Woman Rep seats have four aspirants each, MP (nine) and MCA (95).
In Kisii, Justus Nyaberi challenges Governor Simba Arati (ODM). The Senate race has nine aspirants, Woman Rep (four), MP (35) and MCA (192). In Kisumu, no UDA aspirant has emerged for governor. The incumbent, Prof Anyang’ Nyo’ng’o, retires at the end of his term. Vincent Otieno is the sole senate applicant, while Beatrice Odhiambo and Lavina Oduor seek the Woman Rep seat. Twelve have applied for MP and 74 for MCA. Kitui sees Penina Malonza, Jonathan Mueke and Pauline Kathanzu contesting governor. Five aspire for Senate and Woman Rep each, 15 for MP and 273 for MCA.
Principal Secretary State Department for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke speaks at the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme event in Nairobi on September 17, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
In Kwale, Fatuma Achani faces Chirema Kombo for governor. Senate has three aspirants, Woman Rep (three), MP (eight), MCA (81).Laikipia has no governor aspirants. Senate has four, Woman Rep (5), MP (seven), and MCA (74).
In Lamu, Eliud Kinuthia Ndungu and Anuar Loitiptip are locked in the gubernatorial contest. Senate has four aspirants, Woman Rep (three), MP (five), MCA (28). Machakos has no governor aspirants but seven Senate hopefuls, Woman Rep (seven), MP (20), MCA (286).
In Makueni, James Musyoka and Maurice Wambua are vying for governor, while two contest Senate, Woman Rep (six), MP (19), MCA (187). Mandera has six governor aspirants: Ali Noor Aden, Jari Mohammed, Mohammed Maalim, Abubakar Mohammed, Yussuf Noor, Adan Nooru.
President William Ruto (centre), Deputy President Prof Kindiki Kithure (left), UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire (second right) and Secretary General Hassan Omar (right) during the UDA National Governing Council meeting at State House, Nairobi on January 26, 2026.
Photo credit: PCS
Marsabit sees Dido Rasso, Pius Wario Yattani and Guyo Molu seek governor, while the Senate race has three contenders, Woman Rep (six), MP (21), MCA (115). In Meru, only Pius Murugu seeks governor. Senate has four aspirants, Woman Rep (two), MP (23), MCA (315).
Migori gubernatorial aspirants are Pamela Ochieng, Rebecca Moroa, Joseph Ngao, and Byron Oginga. Other contests have Senate (six), Woman Rep (five), MP (24), MCA (115). In Mombasa, Hassan Omar will face Ali Mbogo and Abdala Miraj for governor with Senate having six aspirants, Woman Rep (four), MP (22), MCA (183). Murang’a has no governor aspirants; Senate has five, Woman Rep (three), MP (11), MCA (276).
Nakuru sees Susan Kihika, Hillary Kipngeno and Joseph Rotich vie for governor. The Senate seat has attracted 13 aspirants, Woman Rep (12), MP (77), MCA (586). Nandi has 10 governor aspirants including Cleophas Lagat and Julius Melly. Senate has 15, Woman Rep (21), MP (104), MCA (478).
The Narok gubernatorial aspirants are Patrick Ntutu, Gabriel Tongoyo, Jacob Chamdany, and James Kipuri. The Senate race has eight aspirants, Woman Rep (five), MP (41), MCA (191). In Nyamira, Walter Nyambati and Ayub Tumbo have applied for governor, with six others eyeing the Senate seat. Woman Rep has five aspirants, MP (10) and MCA (152). In Nyandarua, UDA has no governor aspirant, but two are seeking the Senate ticket. Woman Rep has one, MP (14) and MCA (76).
Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga during a press conference at Gatung'ang'a village in Nyeri county on December 9, 2022.
Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi I Nation Media Group
In Nyeri, Senator Wahome Wamatinga is the sole governor aspirant. Senate has five contenders, Woman Rep (one), MP (nine) and MCA (188). In Samburu, Robert Lemerketo is the sole candidate for governor. Three seek the Senate while Woman Rep has two, MP (11) and MCA (75). In Siaya, former Rarieda MP Nicola Gumbo and Millicent Oduor are vying for governor, alongside Governor James Orengo and others. Senate and Woman Rep have three each, MP (eight) and MCA (64).
In Taita Taveta, former governor Granton Samboja and Labour PS Shadrack Mwadime are running for governor. The Senate contest has three aspirants, Woman Rep (six), MP (seven) and MCA (74). In Tharaka-Nithi, Tharaka MP George Murugara and Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki contest the governor seat. Senate has five, Woman Rep (five), MP (14) and MCA (140).
In Trans Nzoia, Kiminini MP Bisau Kakai (DAP-K), former MP Chris Wamalwa, Caxton Ngeywo and Isaac Kogo seek governor. Senate has three, Woman Rep (six), MP (43) and MCA (255). In Turkana, only Jeremiah Napotikana is running for governor. Senate has five, MP (20) and MCA (134).
Former Soy MP Caleb Kositany.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
In Uasin Gishu, Governor Jonathan Bii faces former Soy MP Caleb Kositany, Abraham Kiplagat, Gideon Kipngetich and William Kirwa for governor. Senate has seven, Woman Rep (20), MP (81) and MCA (499). In Vihiga, Indimuli Kahi is the sole governor aspirant. Senate has eight candidates, Woman Rep (six), MP (18) and MCA (162).
In Wajir, Hassani Adam, Ahmed Durow, Hassan Khalid and Ugas Mohammed are vying for governor. Senate has five, Woman Rep (nine), MP (19) and MCA (64).
In West Pokot, Pokot South MP David Pkosing, Peter Lokor and Micah Powon are seeking to succeed Governor Simon Kachapin.
