The President arrived at the polling centre early in the day, where he queued alongside ordinary party members waiting to elect local UDA officials.
Dressed in yellow, the party’s signature colour, Ruto mingled freely with voters, exchanging greetings and pleasantries as he waited to cast his ballot.
The scene offered a rare glimpse of the Head of State participating in party activities without the usual heavy security presence that often surrounds him during public appearances.
The scene offered a rare glimpse of the Head of State participating in party activities without the usual heavy security presence that often surrounds him during public appearances.
Unlike typical events marked by tight security protocols, the polling station maintained a relaxed atmosphere as party members went about the voting process.
After casting his vote, the President’s index finger was marked with indelible ink, similar to other voters, underscoring what aides described as his commitment to democratic participation at the grassroots level.
Ruto was accompanied by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, who also took part in the voting exercise. Other local leaders and party officials were present as the polls continued throughout the day.
Addressing supporters after voting, President Ruto commended the large number of candidates who had presented themselves for various grassroots positions, describing the turnout as a positive sign for the party’s internal democracy.
“I commend all the candidates who have stepped forward in numbers far beyond expectation to offer leadership at the grassroots,” Ruto said.
After casting his vote, the President’s index finger was marked with indelible ink, similar to other voters, underscoring what aides described as his commitment to democratic participation at the grassroots level.
Ruto was accompanied by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, who also took part in the voting exercise. Other local leaders and party officials were present as the polls continued throughout the day.
Addressing supporters after voting, President Ruto commended the large number of candidates who had presented themselves for various grassroots positions, describing the turnout as a positive sign for the party’s internal democracy.
“I commend all the candidates who have stepped forward in numbers far beyond expectation to offer leadership at the grassroots,” Ruto said.
“Their willingness to serve strengthens our party and advances the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which is anchored on inclusive growth and shared prosperity.”
The President noted that strong grassroots leadership was essential in implementing UDA’s political agenda, arguing that effective mobilisation at the community level would play a critical role in delivering development initiatives to ordinary Kenyans.
The UDA grassroots elections are being held nationwide as part of the party’s efforts to strengthen its structures ahead of future political engagements.
The President noted that strong grassroots leadership was essential in implementing UDA’s political agenda, arguing that effective mobilisation at the community level would play a critical role in delivering development initiatives to ordinary Kenyans.
The UDA grassroots elections are being held nationwide as part of the party’s efforts to strengthen its structures ahead of future political engagements.
The exercise seeks to elect officials at polling centre, ward and constituency levels, forming the foundation of the party’s decision-making organs.
However, the elections have not been uniform across all regions. Earlier this week, UDA announced the postponement of grassroots polls in two wards in Embu County—Evurore and Muminji—which are scheduled to hold by-elections in February.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the party said the decision was made to prioritise party nominations for the upcoming by-elections slated for February 26, 2026.
“UDA Party has postponed the grassroots elections in the two wards of Embu County that are due to hold by-elections in February,” the statement read. “Instead of conducting the party’s grassroots polls in Evurore and Muminji wards, the day will be reserved for party nominations to pick candidates for the by-election.”
UDA National Elections Board chairperson Anthony Mwaura explained that party members in the affected wards would conduct their grassroots elections at a later date following the conclusion of nominations.
According to the revised schedule, nominations in Evurore and Muminji wards, as well as West Kabras ward in Kakamega County, were to be conducted on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Polling centre-level grassroots elections in the three wards are now set to take place on January 17, 2026.
“The polling centre grassroots elections for the affected wards will be conducted after the nominations exercise,” Mwaura said in the notice.
Despite the adjustments in some areas, UDA officials said the nationwide exercise had largely proceeded smoothly, with strong participation from party members.
The grassroots elections mark a key phase in UDA’s internal organisation as the ruling party seeks to consolidate its structures and reinforce its political base ahead of future electoral contests.
However, the elections have not been uniform across all regions. Earlier this week, UDA announced the postponement of grassroots polls in two wards in Embu County—Evurore and Muminji—which are scheduled to hold by-elections in February.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the party said the decision was made to prioritise party nominations for the upcoming by-elections slated for February 26, 2026.
“UDA Party has postponed the grassroots elections in the two wards of Embu County that are due to hold by-elections in February,” the statement read. “Instead of conducting the party’s grassroots polls in Evurore and Muminji wards, the day will be reserved for party nominations to pick candidates for the by-election.”
UDA National Elections Board chairperson Anthony Mwaura explained that party members in the affected wards would conduct their grassroots elections at a later date following the conclusion of nominations.
According to the revised schedule, nominations in Evurore and Muminji wards, as well as West Kabras ward in Kakamega County, were to be conducted on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Polling centre-level grassroots elections in the three wards are now set to take place on January 17, 2026.
“The polling centre grassroots elections for the affected wards will be conducted after the nominations exercise,” Mwaura said in the notice.
Despite the adjustments in some areas, UDA officials said the nationwide exercise had largely proceeded smoothly, with strong participation from party members.
The grassroots elections mark a key phase in UDA’s internal organisation as the ruling party seeks to consolidate its structures and reinforce its political base ahead of future electoral contests.
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