Gachagua shadow looms as UDA holds party polls

UDA members after participating in grassroots elections in Vihiga County on January 10, 2026. [Brian Kisanji, Standard]

The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) yesterday conducted grassroots elections in 20 counties, in an exercise marred by low voter turnout and delays in the delivery of election materials.

President William Ruto joined other UDA members in voting at Koilel Primary School in Ainabkoi, Uasin Gishu County, at around 9am. The Head of State, who is also the party’s national chairperson, was accompanied by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago.

President Ruto urged youthful party members to aim for national leadership positions rather than engage in activities that could hinder their prosperity and personal growth.

“I want to commend our party members for coming out to exercise their democratic right to elect their preferred grassroots officials. However, I would like to encourage our youth across the country to become more vibrant in politics by vying for higher posts nationally,” he said.

He added: “This exercise is a testament to our commitment as a party to ensure this country remains peaceful despite our political differences. Every Kenyan must remain focused, united and support the government as we continue implementing various transformative programmes.”

UDA had failed to conduct  the elections in 2024 following the fallout between President Ruto and his then deputy, Rigathi Gachagua. The exercise resumed yesterday in Rift Valley, Mt Kenya and Western regions.

In the Mt Kenya region, widely perceived to have shifted allegiance to Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), there were reports of party electoral officials failing to arrive at polling centres by 1pm, despite voting being scheduled to start at 9am and end at 3pm.

In Kirinyaga County, Governor Anne Waiguru protested that officials had either failed to arrive or were missing in 26 polling stations spread across six constituencies.

UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar had earlier said the party was fully prepared to conduct the exercise.

“A total of 310,651 candidates have registered to contest 237,940 grassroots positions across 12,000 polling centres in the 20 counties. The exercise is expected to draw an estimated three million party members, making it the largest internal party election ever undertaken in the country,” Omar said.

“The Mt Kenya region has demonstrably shown that it firmly supports the presidency, and I am confident of us winning the two Member of County Assembly by-elections in Embu County,” he said.

However, returning officers who spoke to The Standard painted a grim picture on the ground, citing low turnout and logistical challenges.

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah participates in UDA grassroot elections on January 10, 2026 in Kiambu County. [KIMAKU CHEGE, STANDARD]

In Elgeyo Marakwet, returning officer James Losikany said that by 1pm, election materials had reached only 80 per cent of polling stations.

“Due to poor roads in some areas, we have been forced to use donkeys and motorbikes to deliver the election materials. This delayed the start of the exercise, but we shall compensate for the hours lost and extend the closing time,” Losikany said.

In Nyeri, returning officer Ishmael Bosire attributed the low turnout to Gachagua’s influence, as well as the coincidence of the polls with the Kenya National Union of Teachers elections.

“It was also a market day and many people were busy. In some polling centres, turnout was as low as seven voters, with others registering fewer than 20 between 9.30am and 10.30am,” he said.

The Mt Kenya exercise came a day after Gachagua toured Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri and Kirinyaga counties, urging residents to join his DCP party.

Analysts said UDA may have resumed the elections after recent wins in Mbeere North and Malava constituencies, seeking to capitalise on perceptions that some regions remain under President Ruto’s grip.

“The Opposition has intensified its onslaught against Ruto in Mt Kenya, Western and Ukambani regions. This may have driven the decision to engage locals through grassroots elections,” said political analyst Mburu Kimani.

Before the exercise was halted in Nairobi, the polls had triggered a fallout between Governor Johnson Sakaja and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya over the county branch chairmanship.

While UDA leaders insist the exercise will strengthen the party, critics dismiss it as futile. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei urged candidates to focus on unity and organisation.

“We need to make our party stronger and more organised, like the US Republican and Democratic parties, the Chinese Communist Party, Tanzania’s CCM and Uganda’s NRM,” Cherargei said.

However, Nairobi DCP patron Irungu Nyakera said the exercise would not alter the political reality in Mt Kenya.

“UDA holding grassroots elections in Mt Kenya today is no different from ODM attempting the same in 2022, when it was deeply unpopular in the region. It is a pointless exercise that burns time and resources without changing political reality,” Nyakera said.

Additional reporting by Peter Ochieng