Nairobi: The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is set to conduct repeat Phase II grassroots elections on Thursday, April 23, 2026, across 18 counties, a significant exercise anticipated to involve millions of voters and influence the party’s local leadership structures.
According to Kenya News Agency, the elections will take place in counties including Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Kisii, Bungoma, Makueni, Machakos, Kitui, Isiolo, Marsabit, Taita Taveta, Lamu, Tana River, Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa, and Turkana. Kajiado County will conduct its election later on Saturday, April 25. The party’s Secretary General (SG) Hassan Omar emphasized that these repeat elections are part of ongoing efforts to enhance internal democracy and grassroots representation, following earlier exercises in other regions.
SG Omar highlighted that over 450,000 candidates have registered to contest for various grassroots positions, illustrating the strong interest in the process. Candidates will vie for 20 positions at the polling center level, representing groups such as women, youth, special interest groups, farmers, religious organizations, professionals, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This diverse representation underscores UDA’s commitment to inclusivity and participation across all sectors of society.
The SG projected a turnout of approximately eight million voters, signifying the scale and importance of these elections within the party’s organizational framework. Omar noted that similar grassroots elections have already been conducted successfully in 25 counties, marking a key milestone in building nationwide structures.
To ensure efficiency and transparency, UDA will deploy end-to-end technology in managing the elections, with 9,500 electronic voting tablets distributed to polling centers. Results will be accessible via the official website, ensuring public transparency. Voting is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m., with officials expressing confidence in a smooth operation.
Upon completion, the elections are expected to produce 182,240 grassroots officials who will hold a direct mandate from party members at the local level. Omar insisted that these grassroots polls are crucial for UDA’s broader strategy to fortify internal party democracy and enhance its structures ahead of future political engagements.
Political observers note that the election outcomes will significantly influence the party’s mobilization capacity and leadership pipeline at the community level.
