United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Deputy Party Leader Kithure Kindiki has assured party aspirants that nominations ahead of next year’s General Election will be conducted in a free, fair and credible manner, as the ruling party accelerates preparations for the polls.
Kindiki spoke on Wednesday at State House, Nairobi, during the first UDA Party Aspirants Forum presided over by party leader President William Ruto. The meeting brought together thousands of hopefuls seeking the party’s ticket across all elective positions.
“Our UDA Party has updated aspirants for various elective seats in next year’s elections on the progress made so far in the implementation of our manifesto,” Kindiki said.
The forum drew a total of 12,353 aspirants, underscoring UDA’s growing dominance. According to figures presented at the meeting, 149 aspirants are seeking the party’s ticket for the 47 governor seats, 279 are contesting for the 47 elected senator positions, 323 are eyeing the 47 woman representative slots, 1,372 are competing for the 290 National Assembly constituencies, while 10,230 aspirants are battling for the 1,450 ward representative seats.
Kindiki said the large number of aspirants reflected confidence in the ruling party and the Kenya Kwanza agenda, but cautioned that managing competition would test the party’s internal democracy.
He urged aspirants to actively promote government programmes at the grassroots, saying political mobilisation must be anchored on tangible development outcomes.
“The aspirants have been encouraged to popularise the ongoing government programmes for Kenya’s transformation,” he said.
Addressing concerns over disputed party primaries that have characterised past elections, Kindiki sought to reassure aspirants that UDA was committed to running a transparent process.
“They have been assured that party nomination primaries will be free, fair, credible and just,” he said.
Kindiki was officially designated 1st Deputy Party Leader by the UDA National Executive Committee in November 2024, following the impeachment of his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua. As of early 2026, he remains in the position, playing a key role in shaping the party’s electoral strategy.
UDA’s day-to-day party affairs are overseen by Secretary General Omar Hassan, while the political direction is set by the party leadership under President Ruto.
Following UDA’s merger with the Amani National Congress (ANC) in January 2025, the party’s leadership structure was expanded to include two deputy party leaders. Kindiki serves alongside Lamu Governor Issa Timamy, who was appointed 2nd Deputy Party Leader as part of the post-merger reorganisation aimed at broadening the party’s national reach.
Kindiki called for unity and discipline among aspirants, warning against premature campaigns and internal divisions that could weaken the party ahead of the polls.
He ended the forum on an upbeat note, rallying aspirants around the party slogan: “UDA ni faya, noma,” drawing cheers from those in attendance.
Political observers say the credibility of UDA’s nomination process will be closely watched, with its handling of the primaries expected to influence both the party’s electoral fortunes and public confidence in Kenya’s democratic process ahead of the next General Election.
