UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire addresses the media during a press briefing at the party headquarters in Nairobi on April 22, 2026, alongside secretary general Hassan Omar, Executive Director Nicodemus Bore, deputy executive director Brian Higgins Mbugua and other party leaders. /HANDOUT

The United Democratic Alliance will conduct nominations to pick its candidate for the Ol Kalou constituency by-election in Nyandarua County after more than 10 aspirants expressed interest in the ticket.

Party chairperson Cecily Mbarire said the nominations will be free, fair, verifiable and transparent, in line with the party’s internal processes.

“This morning we had a meeting with the deputy party leader Kindiki and 10 candidates for the Ol Kalou seat,” she said.

“We wish to announce that over 10 aspirants have expressed interest in running on the party’s ticket in the upcoming Ol Kalou constituency by-election.”

Mbarire said the party had agreed to hold nominations at a later date, which will be communicated to aspirants and members.

“We have agreed to have a free and fair party nomination at a later date that will be communicated,” she said, adding that the party will sponsor a candidate in the by-election.

The contest is expected to draw significant attention in Nyandarua County, with the high number of aspirants signalling intense competition for the ruling party’s ticket.

The announcement comes as the party shifts focus to its repeat Phase Two grassroots elections scheduled for Thursday in several counties.

According to party officials, more than 450,000 candidates have registered to contest various positions at over 9,000 polling centres, with about eight million members expected to participate.

Voting will start at 8.00 am and close at 5.00 pm, with more than 180,000 grassroots officials set to be elected.

Mbarire said the party had deployed 9,500 electronic voting gadgets across polling stations to ensure a smooth and transparent process. Results from the exercise will be streamed in real time on the party’s website.

UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire addresses the media during a press briefing at the party headquarters in Nairobi on April 22, 2026, alongside secretary general Hassan Omar, Executive Director Nicodemus Bore, deputy executive director Brian Higgins Mbugua and other party leaders. /HANDOUT

She said the party was fully prepared for the exercise, which will be conducted in 15 counties, while Kajiado county will vote on April 25.

Counties taking part in Thursday’s exercise include Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Kisii, Bungoma, Makueni, Machakos, Kitui, Isiolo, Marsabit, Taita Taveta, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa. Elections in Tana River and Turkana counties are scheduled for May 2.

UDA secretary general Hassan Omar said the grassroots elections are key to strengthening the party’s structures across the country.

He said the exercise will result in the election of about 580,000 grassroots leaders once completed in all 47 counties.

“By the end of the grassroots polls, UDA will have established a strong network of grassroots elected leaders, consolidating the party’s presence in all parts of the country,” he said.

The Ol Kalou by-election is expected to test the party’s ability to manage internal competition while maintaining unity ahead of the vote.