Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi cautioned elected United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders to prepare for stiff competition ahead of the 2027 General Election, revealing that thousands of aspirants have already expressed interest in contesting for the party’s tickets.
Speaking on Monday at State House, Nairobi, during a UDA National Governing Council meeting convened by party leader President William Ruto, Mudavadi said interest in UDA nominations had surged across all elective positions.
According to data presented at the meeting, at least 3,803 Kenyans have so far submitted applications through the party’s portal, which remains open. Of these, 640 have expressed interest in contesting for National Assembly seats, 64 for governor, 98 for senator, 138 for woman representative, and 2,863 for Member of County Assembly (MCA) positions.
“By today, a total of 3,803 Kenyans have expressed interest, and the party portal is still open. This number could easily double or even triple when we convene here at State House for the aspirants’ forum in a couple of weeks,” Mudavadi said.
He warned elected leaders against complacency, saying the numbers clearly signal intense competition for the ruling party’s ticket.
“If anyone thought there would be no competition, the statistics show otherwise. There is stiff competition for the UDA ticket,” he cautioned.
Mudavadi noted that the party has scheduled a key aspirants’ engagement forum on February 4, 2026, where UDA leadership and party organs will interact with those seeking nominations ahead of the August 2027 General Election.
Using the MCA position as an example, Mudavadi urged elected ward representatives to return to the grassroots and strengthen their political bases ahead of party polling centre elections expected in March.
“Competition at the ward level is not a joke. You cannot afford to lie low when party polling centre elections take place. These aspirants are already mobilising their campaign teams,” he said.
“You have no option but to go back to the polling centres, mobilise thoroughly, register more members and build strong teams. If you don’t do it, be assured your opponent is already doing it,” he added.
The Prime CS also called on UDA leaders to continue backing President Ruto’s administration, saying the government’s development agenda was steadily delivering results.
“Wenzangu wanachama wa UDA, nawashukuru sana kwa kujitokeza kwa wingi kuonyesha umaarufu wa chama kinachoongoza nchini Kenya. Heko kwenu,” Mudavadi said.
“Kupitia kwenu, serikali imepata nafasi bora ya kutekeleza miradi na mikakati iliyo kwenye manifesto yetu. Tunapoingia awamu nyingine, tuendelee kuunga mkono juhudi zetu za pamoja za kuwatumikia Wakenya,” he added.
Mudavadi, who also serves as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, said President Ruto’s leadership had elevated Kenya’s global standing, positioning the country as a key diplomatic anchor, regional business and investment hub, and a trusted mediator in peace and security initiatives.
He noted that Kenya is set to host several high-profile international conferences this year, including the Africa–France Summit in May.
President Ruto, addressing the meeting, said UDA was keen on broadening its political base to unite the country and consolidate gains made under the broad-based government.
The President declared that he was targeting a decisive victory in the 2027 General Election, expressing confidence that a possible coalition with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) would deliver a margin of between two and three million votes.
“In the last election, we won by a margin of about 200,000 votes. This time, we want to win by between two and three million so that we unite the country and move forward together,” Ruto said.
He added that the broad-based government arrangement with ODM was working well, praising key leaders for their performance in government.
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