UDA opens aspirant registration for grassroots elections in January 10

The United Democratic Alliance has officially opened registration for aspirants seeking to contest in the party’s upcoming grassroots elections.

This marks the beginning of a month-long internal election process across 20 counties.

In a statement released on Thursday, the National Elections Board (NEB) announced that the online portals for aspirant registration were activated at noon.

“Registration for aspirants wishing to take part in the election will start on December 4, 2025, at 12 noon when the portals will be opened, with this exercise coming to a close on December 23, 2025, at 5pm,” the statement read.

The decision followed a joint meeting between the UDA National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Elections Board, chaired by Deputy Party Leader DP Kithure Kindiki.

Members resolved that the remaining counties where polls had not been conducted must finalise their grassroots elections early next year.

“It was resolved that the party conduct grassroots elections in the remaining 20 counties where the polls have not been held,” the statement said.

According to NEB chairperson Anthony Mwaura, the notice marks the official start of the election cycle.

Once registration closes on December 23, aspirants will enter a campaign period running until January 10, the day polling centre elections are scheduled to be conducted.

“Polling center elections will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026,” Mwaura said.

The grassroots polls will take place simultaneously in 20 counties.

These include Baringo, Bomet, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kericho, Nakuru, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Samburu, Embu, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Meru, Murang’a, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Tharaka Nithi, Kakamega, and Vihiga.

The party said the NEB will issue additional operational details in the coming weeks, including guidelines for polling centres and candidate conduct during campaigns.

The grassroots elections are expected to shape UDA’s internal leadership structure ahead of the party’s broader organisational calendar for 2026.

The party election comes at a crucial political moment, following the recent by-elections where UDA clinched several seats, including in Mbeere North. The victory solidifies the party’s hold in Embu County. 

In 2024, UDA held its first phase of grassroots elections across 27 areas. The exercise attracted many aspirants who turned up to choose new ward, constituency, and county officials.

This was the first time the party took a step to reorganise its structure after the 2022 General Election, in which UDA claimed the presidential seat under William Ruto.