Ruto clarifies January polls are for UDA, not Kiambu governor race

President William Ruto speaking in Kiambu on December 14, 2025 / PCS

President William Ruto has sought to clarify confusion among Kiambu residents over the nature of the grassroots elections scheduled for January.

The President said the exercise is strictly a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party process and not a gubernatorial contest.

Speaking on Sunday during a Church service, the President said some people had mistakenly interpreted the upcoming polls as an election for the Kiambu governor.

“There is an upcoming election that has been announced in January, and I want to help you because I see there is confusion. The upcoming elections are not for governor; they are for the UDA party,” Ruto said.

He urged residents to remain patient, noting that elections for county leadership would be held at the appropriate time under the constitutional electoral calendar.

“I urge you to be patient because elections for the governor will come at a later time,” he said.

Ruto called on party members to organise themselves for the UDA grassroots elections, adding that future leadership contests should be guided by performance rather than political attacks.

“Plan yourselves for the UDA elections, and the other one will depend on who has performed to be elected. No one will be elected because of insults and dividing people. We want to unite Kenyans,” he said.

The January 10 grassroots polls will be conducted in Bomet, Kakamega, Kirinyaga, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Laikipia, Nyandarua, Kericho, Vihiga, Nyeri, Baringo, Nakuru, Murang’a, Trans Nzoia, Embu, Samburu and Meru counties.

“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,” UDA said in a statement.

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.

On December 6, Ruto's UDA party announced a two-week nationwide sensitisation programme ahead of the grassroots elections slated for January 10 across 20 counties.

According to a statement from the party, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, who is the party chairperson, will lead the drive.

"United Democratic Alliance remains the party of choice," Mbarire said during the meeting, citing its strong performance in the recently concluded by-elections, where it secured a significant number of seats. 

She emphasised that the upcoming grassroots polls present an opportunity to strengthen internal democracy and solidify the party’s national presence.