UDA grassroots elections set for January 10 across 20 counties

UDA deputy party leader Kithure Kindiki after holding a follow-up meeting with 250 UDA-affiliated MCAs to take stock of grassroots election preparedness, one day ahead of the crucial grassroots elections, January 8, 2026. /KITHURE KINDIKI

The ruling United Democratic Alliance has finalised plans for Saturday’s grassroots elections across 20 counties, Deputy Party Leader Kithure Kindiki has said.

Kindiki said 20 officials will be elected per polling station in Bomet, Kakamega, Kirinyaga, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Laikipia, Nyandarua, Kericho, Vihiga, Nyeri, Baringo, Nakuru, Murang’a, Trans Nzoia, Embu, Samburu and Meru counties.

An estimated three million UDA members are expected to take part in the exercise, averaging about 250 voters per polling centre, underscoring the scale and logistical weight of the exercise.

“UDA-affiliated Members of County Assembly (MCAs) are mobilising at the grassroots for maximum participation of the party membership in the elections,” Kindiki said in an update on X late Thursday.

The Deputy President spoke after holding a follow-up meeting with 250 UDA-affiliated MCAs from Nakuru, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang’a and Kiambu counties to take stock of preparedness for the grassroots elections.UDA deputy party leader Kithure Kindiki after holding a follow up meeting with 250 UDA-affiliated MCAs to take stock of grassroots election preparedness, one day ahead of the crucial grassroots elections, January 8, 2026. /KITHURE KINDIKI

UDA is gearing up for what could be the largest grassroots party elections in the country, with 310,651 candidates having registered to contest various positions across the 20 counties.

The sheer number of aspirants reflects both the party’s expansive footprint and the intense competition expected at the polling centres.

The exercise will be conducted in 12,000 polling centres nationwide, translating to the election of about 240,000 officials, a figure that slightly exceeds the 237,940 party offices available.

In a briefing on Wednesday, UDA National Elections Board (NEB) chairperson Anthony Mwaura said the party had already dispatched personnel to all designated areas to oversee the polls and ensure adherence to electoral guidelines.

According to Mwaura, the grassroots elections form part of UDA’s broader strategy to mobilise support, consolidate structures and strengthen the party’s presence and visibility across the country ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The party said personnel drawn from the UDA Secretariat, the NEB and the Election Dispute Resolution Committee (EDRC) are already on the ground ahead of the polls to handle logistics and any disputes that may arise.

Party data shows that 223,425 candidates will face contests, while 80,038 candidates are unopposed.

The elections have attracted heavy interest, particularly in the Mt Kenya region, with Kirinyaga recording the fewest entries at 14,000, while Meru leads with 35,343 candidates.

In the Rift Valley, Nakuru county tops the list with 30,010 candidates, while Samburu has the lowest number at 4,386.

In Western Kenya, Kakamega County has attracted the highest participation, with 32,677 candidates registered, followed by Trans Nzoia at 7,825 and Vihiga at 7,327.