More than 300,000 aspirants are facing off today in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots elections, a massive logistical exercise spanning 20 counties that serves as a critical test for the ruling party’s organizational muscle. The electronic voting process, a first of its kind for internal party polls in Kenya, aims to solidify the political machine ahead of the 2027 general election cycle.
As polling stations opened this morning, turnout was reportedly high in key battlegrounds such as the Mt. Kenya and Rift Valley regions, where the competition for ward and constituency-level positions has intensified. The exercise, described by party officials as a demonstration of internal democracy, utilizes thousands of electronic tablets to ensure real-time transmission of results and mitigate the chaos often associated with manual balloting.
Official data from the UDA National Elections Board (NEB) confirms that exactly 310,651 candidates registered to contest various positions, significantly surpassing the approximately 238,000 available party offices. Today’s vote covers 20 specific counties, including political heavyweights like Kiambu, Nakuru, Meru, and Uasin Gishu. The party has deployed over 12,000 polling clerks and engaged substantial security personnel to manage an estimated electorate of three million registered members. This digital-first approach cost the party an estimated Sh750 million, underscoring the high stakes involved in controlling the party’s grassroots structure.
NEB Chairman Anthony Mwaura emphasized the security of the digital system, noting that the voting tablets are geofenced and programmed to shut down if tampered with. Speaking at the party headquarters, Mwaura assured members that the technology would eliminate ballot stuffing and ensure that legitimate winners are declared promptly. This technological pivot is seen as a strategic move to brand the UDA as a modern, transparent institution, contrasting with the often opaque nature of traditional Kenyan party primaries.
The political implications of today’s vote are profound, particularly in the Mt. Kenya region, which has recorded the highest number of entrants. Analysts view the fierce competition in counties like Meru and Kiambu as a proxy battle for regional supremacy and positioning within the 2027 succession matrix. Aspirants are not merely seeking party titles but are jockeying for influence that will determine ticket allocation in future civic and parliamentary contests.
Despite the optimism from party leadership, the logistical scale presents challenges. Managing queues and technical support for 12,000 polling centers simultaneously requires flawless execution. Party officials have established a command center in Nairobi to monitor incoming data streams and resolve technical glitches as they arise. Deputy Party Leader Kithure Kindiki has urged members to remain peaceful, framing the exercise as a pivotal moment for strengthening the party’s foundation from the bottom up.
