UDA issues 21 nomination certificates for by-elections

Mbeere North candidate Leo Wa Mutuenele receivea his nomination certificate from UDA Deputy Party Leader Kithure Kindiki at Hustler Plaza, September 26, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

President William Ruto's UDA party on Friday said it had adopted a zoning strategy in collaboration with the ODM party ahead of the November 27 by-elections to avoid friendly fire.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced that the ruling party has made concessions to ODM in some of the elective seats, signaling the party’s intent to block the Wiper Patriotic Front and Democracy for Citizens parties, which are also fielding candidates in the mini-polls.

“Because we are now expanded and we have been cooperating with other parties under the broad-based administration, we have made concessions so that our partners in ODM can on our behalf field candidates in Ugunja, Kasipul and Magarini. We will also be fielding candidates in all 17 wards where there are by-elections in different parts of the country,” said Kindiki.

The Deputy party leader was speaking at the UDA headquarters where he handed over nomination certificates to Mbeere North MP aspirant Leonard Njeru, Malava seat aspirant David Ndakwa and Banisa constituency candidate Ahmed Maalim, who was settled down as a pact between UDA and the United Democratic Movement, which enjoys a strong following in the North Eastern region.

Kindiki also issued a certificate to Baringo senate seat aspirant Kiprono Cherubet and to another 17 MCA aspirants across various wards in the country.

In Ugunja and Kasipul constituencies, UDA and ODM  have hammered out an arrangement where their candidates will not compete for the same seat.

Already, in Kasipul, ODM’s Boyd Were, the late MP’s son has clinched the ticket, edging out businessman Philip Aroko and Robert Riaga who had declared interest for the seat.

In Ugunja constituency, businessman Joseph Aluru, constituency manager Moses Omondi, lawyer MJ Okumu, Sam Okoyo and Chris Budo have all expressed interest in the Ugunja seat, with the ODM party expected to announce results of its primaries carried out yesterday Friday.

Party chairperson  Governor Cecily Mbarire further warned the candidates against chest-thumping and engaging in divisive politics.

“After you get your certificate today, go back to the “ground” and look for votes.  We are the ruling party but that is not to mean that when you go looking for votes you do with arrogance, pride and insults. That is not our brand of politics. Be humble so that we may be seen as a party that is strong but respects the people that brought us to power,” she reiterated.  

The declaration by UDA, however, now pits the broad-based coalition against Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) which earlier this week declared its resolve to field 10 candidates in the elective positions in the upcoming by-elections across the country. 

During the unveiling of the candidates at the party's headquarters in Karen on Wednesday, Musyoka said the party will only field candidates in three parliamentary seats and seven Member of County Assembly seats. 

"We will be fielding candidates in Magarini in Kilifi county, Kasipul (Homabay) and Ugunja (Siaya)," he said. 

For the Member of County Assembly seats, the party named Francis Kivuva (Narok town), Lopeyok Kiyoi Lokero Peter (Nanaam), Shem Nyanumba Makori (Ekerenyo) and James Obebo Kamand (Nyamaiya).

Others included Kavali Munyoki (Kariobangi North), Alex Obare Nyantika (Nyansiongo), and Antony Kyalo Kisoi (Mumbuni north).