Small Parties in Mt Kenya Regrouping to Beat UDA in 2027
Minor political groups in the Mt Kenya region are actively enlisting supporters to challenge the growing influence of UDA in preparation for the upcoming 2027 general election.
The political party led by President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is encountering internal difficulties, creating a chance for smaller political groups to exploit the political dynamics in the region.
Groups like PNU, The New Democrats, Jubilee, and the Party of Democratic Unity have openly announced their plans to initiate local-level campaigns aimed at garnering widespread support.
But UDA honchos say the party is no pushover and have dared the small units to “conduct the public opinion they seek to do through the activations”.
Gatanga Member of Parliament, Edward Muriu, stated that UDA is the dominant political party, not just in the Mt Kenya region but also nationwide.
He mentioned that the party’s primary focus is on fulfilling campaign commitments and that they have no intention of getting involved in premature political activities.
“We are currently involved in uniting the country and delivering on campaign promises and nothing will divert our attention,” Muriu said.
PNU’s Peter Munya revealed intentions last week to engage in grassroots mobilization, highlighting a rebranding initiative in anticipation of the 2027 elections.
At a gathering where Azimio leader Raila Odinga and other prominent officials were present, Munya expressed the party’s readiness to establish the upcoming government.
Likewise, Thuo Mathenge, the leader of TND, organized a conference for delegates in Nyeri county this past Saturday, attracting substantial backing from representatives of various political parties.
He mentioned the importance of Mount Kenya creating its own political party due to a perceived absence of adequate representation within the UDA.
Mathenge mentioned that his party has assembled a group of promising individuals from the region to promote and publicize its policy goals.
“We must unite and reach out to all members of the Mt Kenya region and we are optimistic that in the next election, we will speak in one voice,” he said.
Essau Kioni, the national chairman of the Democratic Party, called on leaders from all political parties to back Gachagua and come together for the betterment of the region.
He said failure by Mt Kenya leaders to unite will be dangerous.
Isaiah Gichu, the national chairman of the Party of Democratic Unity, emphasized that the establishment of a party originating from the region would foster cohesion, boost the political sway of the area, and contribute to advancing its interests.
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He mentioned Western, where Ford Kenya is headed by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and ANC is led by Musalia Mudavadi.
“We should unite and promote peace and work as a unit. Having a party for the region is good even if it means not folding the existing ones,” he said.
Jeremiah Kioni, the Secretary General of the Jubilee party, recently stated that there is a well-defined strategy in place to counter any attempts by Ruto to gather support in the Mount Kenya region for the 2027 election.
In his 2027 proposal, he mentioned the intention to deploy volunteer agents to oversee their votes at polling stations, a departure from the approach taken in the previous general election.
Kioni said Ruto would not have the support he had from the region.
“The people who will force the guy out is Mt Kenya. The percentage of people who have said enough is enough is beyond anything we had imagined sometime last year,” he said during an interview with Spice FM.
Political expert Albert Kasembeli asserted that the decision by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria was a strategic political tactic aimed at bolstering grassroots support for the UDA party.
“Kuria’s move to form an inter-counties tournament in Mt Kenya is purely political and is aimed at defending UDA’s popularity at the grassroots level,” he said.
Last year, President Ruto opened UDA Central region offices in Nyeri town.
He was accompanied by a host of region leaders, among them DP Gachagua.
Ruto stated that the decision to establish the office aimed at strengthening and broadening the influence of the governing party on a nationwide scale.
“We want to make sure that the leadership of the party is determined by the membership of the party,” he said.
Small Parties in Mt Kenya Regrouping to Beat UDA in 2027