The UDA party grassroots elections are set to take place tomorrow, Saturday, March 14, 2026, across 18 counties, marking a significant milestone in the ruling party’s quest to solidify its internal organizational structure. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who spearheaded a final planning session at the party’s Hustler Plaza headquarters in Nairobi, emphasized that this exercise is a cornerstone of the party’s “bottom-up” democratic vision.
A Vision for Bottom-Up Democracy
The grassroots elections are designed to empower members at the most fundamental level—the polling center. By allowing registered party members to directly select their local representatives, the UDA leadership aims to enhance transparency and ensure that the officials who speak for the party are truly mandated by the local populace.
“We are committed to deepening internal democracy,” Deputy President Kindiki remarked following the strategy review. “By decentralizing power, we ensure that every party member has a voice. This is not just about choosing officials; it is about building a party that is accountable to the people who form its backbone.”
The Scope of the Exercise
Tomorrow’s polls will span 18 counties, reflecting the party’s broad national footprint. The counties participating in this phase include:
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Rift Valley: Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, and Trans Nzoia.
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Central & Mt. Kenya: Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Laikipia, and Nyandarua.
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Western: Vihiga.
This phased rollout is part of a broader strategy to establish robust leadership hierarchies from the polling station, through the ward and constituency levels, up to the national executive.
Strategic Mobilization for 2027
Political analysts observe that these party grassroots elections are as much about internal housecleaning as they are about preparing for the 2027 General Election. By resolving internal disputes and formalizing local leadership, the party aims to mitigate the risk of fragmentation that often plagues major political movements.
Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago has been among the prominent voices urging party members to participate enthusiastically. “Electing leaders from within your wards is the best way to protect the party’s interests and ensure our votes are safeguarded in future contests,” Mandago noted during a recent radio engagement.
To ensure the integrity of the polls, the UDA party has deployed advanced electronic voting mechanisms in selected regions, aimed at minimizing human error and ensuring that results are verifiable and credible. This technical upgrade is a direct response to concerns raised during previous election phases and underscores the party’s commitment to a seamless democratic process.
Ensuring Fair and Credible Outcomes
Despite the ambitious nature of the exercise, the party has established a comprehensive Elections and Nomination Disputes Resolution Committee (ENDRC) to handle any grievances that may arise. The leadership has called on all candidates and supporters to maintain peace and adhere to the party’s electoral code of conduct, emphasizing that the strength of the UDA lies in its unity and shared national agenda.
As the sun rises tomorrow, the focus shifts from boardroom strategy to the grassroots, where party members will cast their ballots to define the future of the UDA at the local level.
