By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 14 December 2025 - Senior officials of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) used a grassroots sensitisation forum in Nandi County to signal the party’s strategic focus on internal consolidation ahead of the upcoming grassroots elections slated for 10 January 2026, while also reaffirming loyalty to President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan, accompanied by Deputy Executive Director Higgins Mbugua, joined Nandi Governor Stephen Sang at the forum, which brought together local party members and leaders. The engagement underscored the party’s efforts to strengthen its grassroots machinery, a critical pillar in UDA’s broader political strategy as it seeks to maintain dominance in its strongholds and beyond.
Speaking during the forum, Sen. Hassan Omar framed the grassroots elections as a defining moment for the ruling party’s future cohesion and credibility. “Strong parties are built from the bottom up,” he said, adding that the January 2026 exercise would test UDA’s commitment to democratic practice. “We want an open, transparent, and inclusive process where every member feels represented and respected.”
The presence of top party officials alongside Governor Sang highlighted the importance UDA places on county-level leadership in mobilizing support and shaping political narratives. Nandi County, a key base within the Rift Valley region, remains central to UDA’s electoral calculus, particularly as the party looks ahead to the next general election cycle.
Deputy Executive Director Higgins Mbugua echoed the emphasis on unity and participation, urging members not to sit on the sidelines. He noted that active engagement in the grassroots elections would help legitimize party structures and reduce internal disputes, which have historically weakened political outfits in Kenya. According to Mbugua, empowering members at the local level is essential for building a resilient party capable of withstanding both internal competition and external political pressure.
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Beyond internal party matters, the forum also served as a platform to reaffirm political loyalty at the national level. Sen. Hassan Omar made it clear that UDA’s leadership remains firmly behind President Ruto, vowing that the party would rally its supporters to secure him a second term. “UDA is united behind the President’s agenda, and we will work together, from the grassroots to the national level, to ensure continuity of leadership,” he said.
Governor Sang’s participation reinforced this message, portraying the grassroots exercise not merely as an administrative process but as part of a wider political mobilization. Analysts view such forums as early indicators of how UDA intends to synchronize party-building with campaign readiness, long before the official election season begins.
The Nandi County engagement reflects UDA’s dual-track approach: tightening internal democratic processes while consolidating political support for President Ruto. As the January 2026 grassroots elections approach, the party’s ability to translate calls for unity, transparency, and inclusivity into practice will likely shape its cohesion—and its electoral fortunes—in the years ahead.
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