President William Samoei Ruto has hailed the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) victories in four by-elections, terming the outcome a sign that the ruling party is steadily consolidating its national support base.
In a statement on Thursday, Ruto thanked voters in Isiolo South, West Kabras, Muminji and Evurore for backing UDA candidates in the closely watched contests.
“Thank you Isiolo South, West Kabras, Muminji, and Evurore for standing firmly with the United Democratic Alliance in yesterday’s by-elections,” Ruto said. “We are firmly on course to building a solid national political party whose vision goes beyond generations as we move Kenya to the first-world.”
The President congratulated Tubi Mohammed, who won the Isiolo South parliamentary seat, alongside Elphas Kainanga Shalakha (West Kabras Ward), Duncan Muratia Nyaga (Evurore Ward) and Peterson Njeru (Muminji Ward).
“Congratulations Tubi Mohammed (Isiolo South Constituency), Elphas Kainanga Shalakha (West Kabras Ward), Duncan Muratia Nyaga (Evurore Ward) and Peterson Njeru (Muminji Ward) for your victory and the confidence the people have shown in you,” he added.
The by-elections, conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, were necessitated by vacancies arising from court rulings and the deaths and resignations of previous office holders, triggering fresh contests in the affected areas.
Isiolo South Constituency fell vacant following a successful election petition that nullified the earlier results, while the ward seats in West Kabras, Muminji and Evurore became vacant after a combination of court determinations and leadership changes. The mini-polls were therefore viewed as an early political barometer for both the ruling party and the opposition.
The contests also come at a time when UDA is seeking to solidify its identity as a dominant national movement after the 2022 General Election, in which Ruto secured the presidency on the party’s ticket. Since then, the party has been working to strengthen its grassroots structures and expand its footprint beyond its traditional strongholds.
Political analysts say while by-elections typically attract lower voter turnout compared to general elections, they often provide insight into shifting alliances and the effectiveness of party mobilization strategies at the local level.
UDA officials described the wins as a reaffirmation of the party’s development agenda and growing support across diverse regions, as the political landscape continues to evolve.
