UDA to launch leadership school after China benchmarking trip

UDA to launch leadership school after China benchmarking trip

A senior delegation from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is in China to study political training and governance systems ahead of the launch of the UDA Leadership School.

The team, led by Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan and Executive Director Nicodemus Bore, visited the Zhejiang Provincial Party School to learn from the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) century-long experience in cadre training and grassroots mobilisation.

The delegation also includes Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana, Turkana County MP Cecilia Ngetit, and other senior party officials.

“By studying the CPC century-long expertise in cadre training and disciplined grassroots mobilisation, UDA is transitioning from a mere election vehicle into a permanent, ideological institution,” said the party in a statement.

“We are not only focused on winning elections; we are building a world-class UDA Leadership School to train leaders of today and tomorrow.”

The UDA Leadership School is expected to provide courses in ideological orientation, governance, public policy, leadership ethics, and political organisation.

Party officials said the institution will target elected leaders, aspiring candidates, party officials, and grassroots organisers.

The delegation’s engagement with Zhejiang Provincial Party School administrators focused on the structure, curriculum, and governance model that can be adapted to Kenya.

Officials also explored the “Double Eight Strategy,” an economic development framework employed in Zhejiang, which they noted aligns with elements of Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

“Benchmarking with Zhejiang Provincial Party School will add to best practices in political discipline and governance,” the party said.

“We intend to institutionalise leadership training and promote a culture of disciplined political organisation within UDA.”

The visit comes as Kenyan political parties increasingly seek to professionalise leadership and reduce reliance on personality-driven politics.

UDA insiders said the party school is part of a long-term plan to cultivate skilled, disciplined leaders capable of running government efficiently and sustaining the party beyond election cycles.

The UDA Leadership School is expected to launch officially later this year, marking a new phase in the party’s evolution from a campaign vehicle into a permanent political institution.

The party aims to build a structured approach to leadership development and strengthen its grassroots structures nationwide.