More than 32,000 members of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are seeking various party positions in Meru County ahead of the grassroots elections scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Speaking to the media at the UDA county headquarters on Thursday, Meru Deputy Governor Linda Kiome said the large number of aspirants reflects the party’s growing popularity and influence in the region. She noted that the party has about 122,000 registered members in the county, making it the dominant political outfit.
Kiome urged registered members to turn up in large numbers to participate in the exercise, saying extensive civic education has been conducted to familiarise voters with the electoral process.
She added that President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who are the party leader and deputy party leader respectively, continue to enjoy strong support across Meru County.
The deputy governor assured members that the elections will be conducted in a credible and transparent manner. She was accompanied by several UDA lawmakers, among them Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri, Nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni, Imenti Central MP Kirima Ngushine, Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi, Tigania West MP John Mutunga, Igembe North MP Julius Taitumu and Igembe Central MP Dan Kiili.
Kiome said the party will use electronic voting devices to ensure efficiency and transparency, with results expected to be transmitted and displayed immediately after voting. She added that constituency returning officers have already undergone training.
She maintained that the electronic system has been deployed successfully in other counties without reported cases of interference.
Meanwhile, the contest for Meru UDA chairperson has drawn three prominent contenders: Senator Kathuri Murungi, Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri and politician Beatrice Karwitha. The race is expected to be closely fought, with candidates intensifying campaigns as the polling day approaches.
Rindikiri said the county has been divided into 1,048 polling centres, each of which will elect 20 officials to represent various party categories.
He said polling stations will open at 9.00 a.m., with closing times depending on voter turnout, and noted that participants must present a national identity card and be registered UDA members.
Rindikiri called on candidates who lose in the elections to rally behind the winners to promote party unity.
The grassroots polls will be followed by ward-level elections before advancing to sub-county and national party elections.
