The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has set key deadlines for its ward-level grassroots elections across 10 counties, with polls scheduled up to October 31.
The party’s Electoral and Nomination Dispute Resolution Committee (ENDRC) announced through a notice seen by Kenyans.co.ke on October 18 that elections would take place in four groups of counties on October 16, 17 and 31, 2026.
Samburu County was scheduled to hold its elections on October 16, while Tana River, Vihiga, Nakuru, Marsabit and Isiolo counties were scheduled for October 17.
The final group, comprising Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Bomet counties, is expected to conduct its grassroots elections on October 31, completing the announced schedule.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki leads a meeting of UDA polling centre officials at Nembure Stadium in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, September 12, 2026.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki
“PURSUANT to the communication by the National Elections Board, Ward Grassroots Elections shall be held in Samburu County on 16th October 2026; in Tana River County, Vihiga County, Nakuru County, Marsabit County and Isiolo County on 17th October 2026; in Meru County, Embu County, Tharaka Nithi County and Bomet County on 31st October 2026,” stated the notice.
The staggered exercise forms part of UDA’s wider grassroots recruitment drive, which has attracted hundreds of thousands of candidates competing for leadership positions across the country.
During the initial phase, 310,651 candidates competed for approximately 237,940 positions across 12,000 polling centres in 20 counties.
Later phases and repeat elections attracted more than 450,000 candidates, with party officials reporting over 500,000 in some updates as the recruitment exercise expanded.
Under the party’s framework, registered members elect a 20-member committee at each polling centre, comprising representatives of farmers, businesses, professionals, religious groups, youth and special-interest groups.
The elected representatives then form an electoral college responsible for choosing ward congress officials across Kenya’s 1,450 wards, linking polling-centre leadership to the party’s wider structure.
In its October 16 notice, ENDRC said it would receive, hear and determine disputes arising from the elections, requiring aggrieved candidates to submit complaints within 24 hours.
Beyond the internal elections, political parties must also meet national electoral requirements, including submitting membership lists and details of candidates contesting primaries by March 16, 2027.
Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) key timelines further require party primaries to conclude and internal nomination disputes to be resolved by May 9, 2027, ahead of the General Election.
UDA Delegates in a State House meeting with President William Ruto.
Photo
UDA