Close to 100,000 United Democratic Alliance (UDA) members have applied to contest various positions in the grassroots elections scheduled for January 2026 in Mt Kenya and Rift Valley.
The number of candidates is expected to rise further after the ruling party extended the registration period to December 31, 2025.
Data from the party’s National Elections Board (NEB) show strong interest in both Mt Kenya and Rift Valley, the regions that delivered President William Ruto to power in 2022.
UDA national elections board’s Chairman Anthony Mwaura.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The board’s Chairperson Anthony Mwaura reported that a total of 14,700 members in Uasin Gishu, 9,037 in Nyandarua, 2,113 in Tharaka Nithi and 5,014 in Embu have applied to contest the polling centre-level elections scheduled for January 10.
Other counties registering high interest include Nyeri (4,131), Kakamega (4,656), Bomet (4,212), Nakuru (5,036), Nandi (5,102), Murang’a (3,390), Trans Nzoia (4,067), Vihiga (4,193), Meru (5,060), Baringo (6,084), Kiambu (8,027), Kirinyaga (3,081), Kericho (3,024), Laikipia (4,028), Elgeyo Marakwet (4,184) and Samburu (5,000).
At the polling centre level, the party will elect a total of 20 officials.
According to the party’s Grassroots Election Guide, these include three representatives of religious groups, four representatives of traders, three for professionals, four for youth, one for Special Interest Groups, three for farmers and two-party members representing women and men.
UDA began its grassroots elections in April 2024 but had to suspend the exercise following nationwide Gen Z protests in June.
Initially, only Busia and Homa Bay counties completed the first phase. In April 2025, the party held elections in another 22 counties, bringing the total to 27.
In the final phase, polling centre elections will be conducted in 20 counties.
Turnout and the number of aspirants will be crucial in assessing UDA’s influence, amid perceptions that Mt Kenya has grown hostile toward the ruling party.
Some of Dr Ruto’s key 2022 allies from the region have declared support for former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who is promoting his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) as a new political alternative.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (in red suit) with other officials during the unveiling ceremony of Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) in Lavington, Nairobi on May 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
“There is a lot of interest in the party. We anticipate fierce competition for positions in both Mt Kenya and Rift Valley,” said Mr Mwaura.
The party had initially hesitated to hold elections in Mt Kenya due to the fallout between President Ruto and Mr Gachagua.
However, the recent by-election win in Mbeere North has reinforced confidence in the party’s support in the region, previously thought to be drifting away.
The November 27 mini-polls were seen as a referendum on Dr Ruto’s administration which has faced challenges following the nationwide Gen Z protests in June 2024.
The 10 Mt Kenya counties and seven North Rift counties collectively delivered 4.5 million votes to Dr Ruto, accounting for 63 per cent of his total votes.
Laikipia, Tharaka Nithi, Murang’a, Kiambu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Embu, Meru and Nakuru together contributed nearly three million votes while the seven North Rift counties added 1.6 million votes.
