Uasin Gishu, Kenya — President William Ruto on Saturday, January 10, cast his vote in the ongoing United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots elections at Koilel Primary School in Uasin Gishu County, as the ruling party conducted a nationwide exercise aimed at strengthening its local leadership structures.
In a statement shared on X, the President confirmed his participation in the polls, noting that party members across 20 counties were voting to elect officials at the polling centre level.
“Voted in the United Democratic Alliance party grassroots elections at Koilel Primary School, Uasin Gishu County, to elect party officials,” President Ruto said.
The Head of State commended the high number of candidates who presented themselves for leadership positions, describing the turnout as a strong signal of internal democracy and political engagement within the party. He said the robust participation aligns with UDA’s broader political philosophy and development agenda.
“I commend all the candidates for stepping forward in numbers far beyond expectation to offer leadership at the grassroots. Their commitment strengthens our party and advances the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which is anchored on inclusive growth and shared prosperity,” he noted.
President Ruto also praised party members who turned out to vote, saying the exercise reflects UDA’s commitment to democratic governance and responsive leadership.
“As a party, we remain firmly committed to democratic governance and responsive leadership that listens to the people and delivers on their priorities,” he added.
High Participation Nationwide
The UDA grassroots elections are being conducted in approximately 12,000 polling centres across the country. Official party data indicates that 310,651 candidates registered to contest various positions, exceeding the 237,940 available party offices.
An estimated three million party members are expected to participate in the exercise, translating to an average of about 250 voters per polling centre.
The Mt Kenya region has emerged as one of the most competitive areas, registering some of the highest candidate numbers. Meru County recorded 35,343 candidates against an initial projection of 21,000. Kiambu registered 21,000 candidates, Murang’a 20,880, Nyandarua 18,665, Nyeri 16,448, Kirinyaga 14,000, and Embu 15,881.
In the Rift Valley region, Nakuru County recorded 30,010 candidates, followed by Bomet with 25,350. Other counties posted strong numbers, including Nandi (15,220), Uasin Gishu (13,570), Baringo (11,842), Kericho (5,967), Samburu (4,386), Laikipia (2,958), and Elgeyo/Marakwet (7,236).
Western Kenya also reported significant participation, with Kakamega registering 32,677 candidates, Vihiga 7,327, and Trans Nzoia 7,825.
Overall, party data shows that 223,425 candidates are facing competitive races, while 80,038 candidates are unopposed, as UDA seeks to consolidate its grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
