UDA set for repeat Phase II grassroots elections across 18 counties

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) will tomorrow on Thursday conduct its Repeat Phase II grassroots elections across 18 counties, targeting millions of voters and hundreds of thousands of candidates in a renewed push to strengthen its local structures.

The exercise will take place in Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Kisii, Bungoma, Makueni, Machakos, Kitui, Isiolo, Marsabit, Taita Taveta, Lamu, Tana River, Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa and Turkana counties, while Kajiado County will hold its elections on Saturday.

The party is seeking to build on earlier phases, with officials saying it has already conducted grassroots elections in 25 counties.

In a statement dated April 22, UDA said more than 450,000 candidates have registered to contest for 20 positions at polling centre level, covering women, youth, special interest groups, farmers, religious representatives, professionals and small-scale traders.

They explained that the elections are expected to draw about eight million voters across more than 9,000 polling centres, marking one of the party’s largest internal exercises.

“We are seeing significant interest from members across the country, which reflects the growing strength of the party at the grassroots,” read the statement.

The party will deploy technology to manage the process, with 9,500 electronic voting tablets already distributed to polling centres, and results set to be published on its public portal.

Voting will begin at 8:00 am and close at 5:00 pm.

The exercise is expected to produce 182,240 elected grassroots officials, who will form the foundation of the party’s leadership structure ahead of future political activities.

UDA has previously said the repeat elections are meant to address logistical and operational challenges experienced in earlier phases, as it seeks to ensure a credible and inclusive process.