The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has set September 26, 2026, for ward-level grassroots elections in Bungoma, Tana River and Kericho counties as the ruling party continues rebuilding its structures ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The polls will run from 8am to 5pm on Saturday, according to a notice issued by the UDA National Elections Board and signed by its chairman, Anthony Mwaura.
The exercise will involve eligible grassroots polling centre officials seeking positions at the ward level.
Key dates for the elections
UDA has already opened its Candidate Registration Portal for officials interested in contesting the ward positions.
Candidates have until September 18 at 5pm to complete their registration. The National Elections Board will then conduct candidate verification on September 19, one week before the elections.
The party has urged eligible polling centre officials in the three counties to complete the registration process within the stipulated timelines.
In its notice, the National Elections Board said:
“The UDA National Elections Board hereby gives notice to all eligible Grassroots Polling Centre Officials intending to contest for Ward-level positions, and to inform all Party Members and Stakeholders, that the Ward-Level Grassroots Elections in Bungoma, Tana River and Kericho Counties shall be conducted on Saturday, 26th September, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.”
Why UDA is holding the grassroots elections
The ward-level polls are part of UDA’s wider programme to establish and strengthen party structures from the polling-centre level upwards.
Officials elected at polling centres form part of the electoral colleges for ward congresses, while those elected at ward level are expected to constitute Ward Congress Executive Committees in line with the party constitution.
The process gives party members a role in choosing officials who will oversee UDA activities in their respective areas.
It also provides the party with an organisational network that can be used for mobilisation, communication and coordination at the grassroots.
What happens after the ward elections?
The ward polls represent another stage in UDA’s phased grassroots elections.
The party has been conducting the exercises in different parts of the country as it works to establish functioning structures at local level.
Once the ward officials are elected, they will become part of the party’s formal grassroots leadership structures and help coordinate UDA activities within their areas.
The structure is particularly important for a political party preparing for a national election, where mobilisation at polling-station and ward level can influence voter turnout and campaign organisation.
Why the exercise matters ahead of 2027
UDA is the governing party and is expected to play a central role in President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election campaign.
Strengthening its grassroots structures could give the party a more organised network through which to communicate with members, mobilise supporters and monitor political developments at local level.
The elections in Bungoma, Tana River and Kericho will therefore determine another layer of UDA leadership as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.
The exercise also comes as political parties across the country begin positioning themselves for the 2027 contest, making functioning grassroots networks increasingly important.
What members need to know
For eligible UDA grassroots polling centre officials in the three counties, the immediate deadlines are:
- September 18, 5pm: Candidate registration closes.
- September 19: Candidate verification.
- September 26, 8am–5pm: Ward-level grassroots elections.
UDA has directed members seeking further information to use its official Candidate Registration Portal and ensure all required steps are completed before the registration deadline.
The September 26 elections will add another layer to UDA’s grassroots organisation as the party continues preparing for the 2027 General Election.
