UDA and ODM Consider Joint Candidates in By-Elections to Prevent Contest

President William Ruto has confirmed that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) will not field a candidate in Ugunja Constituency.

During a recent visit to Ugunja, President Ruto announced that UDA would support a single candidate backed by both UDA and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), following the appointment of former MP Opiyo Wandayi (ODM) as Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum. This marks a departure from UDA’s earlier position to contest all available seats, including those traditionally held by ODM.

The decision reflects ongoing coalition talks guided by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March, which outlines zoning arrangements to reduce competition between allied parties. Sources from both sides indicate similar agreements may be reached in other ODM strongholds such as Kasipul and Magarini. In return, ODM is expected to step aside in UDA-leaning areas including Banisa, Malava, Mbeere North, and Baringo.

A total of 23 seats are up for contest, six parliamentary, one senatorial, and sixteen ward-level positions, vacated due to deaths, appointments to government, and court rulings. Notable among them is the Kasipul seat, left vacant after the killing of MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, and Magarini, where the Supreme Court nullified Harrison Kombe’s election. 

The Baringo senatorial race follows the death of UDA’s William Cheptumo, while the Banisa and Malava constituencies are vacant after the deaths of Hassan Kullow and Malulu Injendi, respectively. ODM’s Central Committee, chaired by Raila Odinga, has resolved to field candidates in 16 of the 23 electoral areas. Secretary General Edwin Sifuna acknowledged the challenges of balancing party interests with coalition commitments but described the cooperation with UDA as necessary for political stability. 

Meanwhile, UDA has opened nominations for all seats, with interested aspirants required to register by 5 September ahead of primaries on 20 September. The by-elections will also be the first major electoral test for the newly reconstituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Observers are expected to closely monitor the commission’s ability to conduct credible and timely polls.

The races are likely to influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election. New entrants, such as the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) led by Rigathi Gachagua, are expected to challenge ODM and UDA in key regions including Mt Kenya and Eastern Kenya.