UDA Sees Early Rush for 2027 Tickets as Thousands Sign Up in Five Days

By Brian Kiprono - Reporter

Kenya, January 26, 2026 - The race for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) tickets in the 2027 General Election has begun in earnest, with thousands of party members declaring their intentions barely days after registration opened.

In just five days, 3,803 aspirants have signed up through the ruling party’s online portal, underlining the growing competition within President William Ruto’s political outfit long before the official campaign season begins.

Figures released by the party show that the bulk of the interest is at the grassroots level. A striking 2,863 aspirants are eyeing seats in county assemblies, while 640 are seeking parliamentary positions. Interest has also emerged for senior posts, with 64 hopefuls registering for gubernatorial races, 98 for the Senate and 138 for Woman Representative seats.

The early registrations follow a notice issued on January 22 by UDA’s National Elections Board (NEB), inviting eligible members to enlist for the UDA Aspirants’ Forum scheduled for February 4. The meeting, to be chaired by President Ruto, will take place at State House.

Party officials say the forum marks the first formal step in UDA’s preparations for the 2027 polls. It is expected to bring together aspirants from across the country to receive guidance on nomination rules, timelines and dispute resolution mechanisms, as well as clear warnings against premature campaigns and internal wrangles.

The NEB, chaired by Anthony Mwaura, has emphasised its commitment to running a transparent and orderly nomination process. As part of the registration, aspirants are required to pay a non-refundable fee, ranging from Sh2,000 for MCA hopefuls to Sh10,000 for those seeking gubernatorial seats.

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Payments are made via M-Pesa or through a designated bank account, with the process designed to formally enrol aspirants and centralise competition within the party.

Beyond the impressive numbers, the opening of the portal has effectively kicked off early political manoeuvring within UDA. Party insiders say the leadership is keen to avoid the chaotic primaries that have dogged past election cycles, often resulting in defections, court battles and fractured parties.

Holding the aspirants’ forum at State House is widely seen as symbolic, signalling that nominations are a priority for the presidency. Political observers also view it as a move to assert discipline, manage rivalries and take stock of emerging regional dynamics where multiple strong contenders are lining up for the same seats.

With incumbents seeking to defend their positions and newcomers eager to break through, UDA faces the delicate task of balancing renewal with unity. For the ruling party, putting its nomination house in order early is seen as key to maintaining stability and cohesion as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election.