Kenya’s ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has given fresh assurances that aspirants eyeing elective seats in the 2027 general election will enjoy a level playing field during the party’s internal nomination exercise. The pledge signals a deliberate move by the party to address longstanding concerns over the integrity of party primaries, ahead of what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested election cycle.
The assurance came during a consultative forum held in Machakos County, specifically convened for members of the Kamba community with political ambitions for 2027. The gathering drew in over 60 participants eyeing various elective positions — spanning parliamentary to county-level seats — underlining the growing appetite for political participation within the region as the 2027 race begins to take shape.
Speaking at the forum, Mary Mutinga, a member of UDA’s elections commission board, disclosed that the party is actively in the process of procuring electronic equipment to be deployed during the primaries to guarantee greater transparency and accountability. Her announcement suggests UDA is determined to steer clear of the chaos and allegations of rigging that have tarnished party nominations in previous election cycles across Kenya.
The deployment of technology in party nominations has increasingly become a pressing demand among aspirants and ordinary voters alike, with many calling for systems that limit human interference and reduce opportunities for ballot manipulation. Should UDA follow through on its commitment to electronic-assisted primaries, the move could set a useful benchmark for how other political outfits structure their own internal elections ahead of 2027.
The Machakos forum was held under the stewardship of Patrick Musili Mbangula, and those in attendance left with a clear, united position — unwavering support for President William Ruto’s bid to secure a second term in State House. The solidarity shown by Kamba community members reflects sustained efforts by UDA to consolidate its support base in a region that has historically served as a competitive battleground for multiple political formations.
With the 2027 general election still on the horizon, political parties are now scrambling to put their internal structures in order. For UDA, ensuring that its nominations are widely seen as credible and impartial will be critical — not only for keeping aspirants loyal to the party tent, but also for managing the expectations of millions of Kenyans who will be watching the political season unfold with keen interest.
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