By Suleiman Mbatiah
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has extended the registration deadline for Phase II of its grassroots elections to Monday, January 5, following a surge in applications and sustained interest from party members across the country.
In a notice issued, the party said the extension was intended to give eligible members and aspirants more time to complete the registration process amid high traffic on the system. Registration will now close at 4.00 pm on Monday.
The party’s National Elections Board chairman, Anthony Mwaura said it had also deployed county-based support teams to assist registrants encountering technical or logistical challenges and should contact designated county coordinators for help.
“Participants are advised to contact the designated support persons for their respective counties as listed below. The Secretariat will work closely with these teams to ensure a smooth and efficient registration process,” he stated.
The grassroots polls form a central pillar of UDA’s internal party democracy framework, which seeks to elect officials from the polling station level up to higher party organs. The ongoing Phase II follows earlier ward-level exercises and is expected to set the stage for subsequent county and national party elections.
Since its formation ahead of the 2022 General Election, UDA has relied heavily on grassroots mobilization, positioning its internal elections as a means of consolidating party structures and legitimizing leadership through member participation.
Party officials say the extended window is aimed at maximizing inclusivity and avoiding the exclusion of members who may have been locked out by delays or system congestion as the initial deadline approached.
Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria has assured all aspirants that the upcoming United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots elections, scheduled for January 10, 2026, will be conducted transparently and credibly.
Gikaria said the party will conduct the polls in line with the Political Parties Act, starting from the lowest party organs up to the national level. He noted that the exercise is meant to strengthen internal democracy and build a solid grassroots leadership structure ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He reiterated that the grassroots elections were intended to build the party from its lowest structures upwards, noting that sustainable political strength could only be achieved when leadership was firmly anchored at the community level.
Gikaria emphasized President William Ruto’s dedication to strengthening democratic practices within UDA, lamenting that many political parties in Kenya often lose relevance and weaken over time, even when they enjoy the loyalty and support of committed members.
“It is only in Kenya where a party can collapse despite having life members,” he said, adding that UDA was determined to chart a different path as a party’s credibility and long-term stability depended on leaders who emerged through a legitimate, participatory process at the grassroots.
He described UDA as a truly national party and called on Kenyans from all communities, regions, and social backgrounds to actively participate in the grassroots elections, emphasizing that every member, regardless of status, would have an equal opportunity.
Participants in Nakuru County have been advised to reach out to the County-based support tea, led by Jamal Lemerian on 0701401515, Damaris Nduru on 0717197834, Emma Jemunge on 0741446679, and Erick Ongwae on 0727235359 for assistance.
The party has also designated contact persons for participants in other Mt Kenya counties. In Nyeri, support is available through Mercy Kuria on 0700838831 and Rose Njoki on 0726888585. In Kirinyaga, participants may contact Anthony Njenga on 0728150807, Dennis Saidimu on 0713027579, or Victoria Remirui on 0714855002.
In Murang’a, the support persons are Ishmael Bosire on 0714738046, James Losikany on 0721939273, and Catherine Ndumia on 0711938622. Kiambu participants can reach Willie Karanja on 0724049038 or Philip Muchiri on 0725029666. In Embu, Dishon Mwasingo is available on 0717579632, while Tharaka Nithi participants should contact Samuel Odongo on 0701623478.
Further north, Meru participants may reach Brian Nyagarama on 0718252369. In Laikipia, Julius Sanare can be contacted on 0706379240. In Nyandarua, participants are advised to reach out to Miriam Ngugi on 0726329834 or Patience Kiti on 0712842290.