Ukambani leaders contesting for various political seats in Nairobi, addressing the press in Machakos county on June 27, 2026./HANDOUT
A section of leaders from the Ukambani region has declared support for President William Ruto's re-election bid in the 2027 General Election.
The more than 100 leaders are seeking various elective positions in Nairobi County in the upcoming polls.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with UDA National Elections Board member Mary Mutinga at her home in Machakos County on Saturday, the leaders, who have expressed interest in contesting for MCA, Member of the National Assembly, Woman Representative, Senator and Governor positions in Nairobi, said they would vie for the seats on the UDA party ticket.
The politicians praised Ruto for what they described as exemplary service delivery and development projects implemented across the country.
"We invited our aspirants from Nairobi County to come and have a consultative meeting on the way forward in the Nairobi elections. They are here to consult with me as a commissioner for elections in the UDA party," Mutinga said.
They spoke to reporters shortly after concluding the meeting.
Mutinga is one of the seven members of the National Elections Board that UDA established to oversee its 2026 grassroots elections.
The board is chaired by Anthony Mwangi.
The politicians said they were united as Kamba leaders seeking various political positions in Nairobi County.
"I urge all Kambas in Nairobi to come together and support President William Ruto. We are supporting his agenda," Mutinga said.
The UDA commissioner said she had earlier held a similar meeting with women leaders from Machakos County.
She said their agenda was to help Ruto secure more votes, not only in Nairobi and Ukambani but across the country.
The leaders said they had resolved to support Ruto and popularise what they described as his administration's development achievements.
They cited the Affordable Housing Programme, road construction and the Nyota Fund among projects they said the government has delivered to Kenyans.
Mutinga encouraged more Kenyans, especially those from the Ukambani region, to join the UDA party and contest for political positions.
She assured UDA members of free and fair party nominations ahead of the General Election.
Mutinga said the party would use a sophisticated digital election infrastructure to conduct its primaries.
She said no candidate would receive a party ticket through the back door.
Nairobi 2027 UDA gubernatorial aspirant Patrick Mbanguta said they were determined to ensure that the more than 400,000 registered Kamba voters cast their votes in favour of Ruto in 2027.
"Today we are here to discuss Nairobi politics. We have agreed on lots of issues as aspirants who will be in 2027 contesting for various political seats on the UDA ticket in Nairobi. We thank Mutinga and the UDA party leadership for assuring us that the party will conduct free and fair nominations," Mbanguta said.
Mbanguta said they had been encouraged by the assurance, saying there had previously been concerns about some people being issued party tickets through the back door.
He encouraged the aspirants to engage with voters and seek support for themselves and President Ruto.
"We support Ruto's leadership. We have witnessed development projects that he has executed, including affordable housing, roads, the cleaning of the Nairobi River and the Nyota projects. So, as Kamba leaders contesting for political seats in Nairobi, we are behind the president. Our slogan is two terms," Mbanguta said.
Mbanguta urged Kambas living in Nairobi who are registered voters in the capital not to travel to their rural homes during the election period.
"Kambas have lots of votes in Nairobi. Over 400,000 registered voters. We have agreed to ensure that all Kambas who have registered as voters in Nairobi vote for Ruto and all Kambas contesting for various political seats, including myself. I will be contesting for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat," Mbanguta said.
Faith Ngutu, who is seeking the Nairobi Woman Representative seat, urged Kenyans to appreciate the President and the development projects she said his administration has implemented across the country.
Ngutu claimed that 90 per cent of Kambas living in Nairobi support the President and his development agenda.
Diana Katile, a nominated MCA in Nairobi, said they believe in Ruto, his administration and its development agenda.
