More than 32,000 United Democratic Alliance (UDA) members are contesting various leadership positions in Meru County as the party prepares to conduct its grassroots elections on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Addressing journalists at the Meru County headquarters on Thursday, Deputy Governor Linda Kiome said the exercise has attracted massive interest, underscoring the party’s growing influence in the county.
She noted that UDA has about 122,000 registered members in Meru, making it the most popular political party in the region.
“UDA is the largest party in Meru with the highest number of followers. We are urging all registered members to turn out in large numbers and vote for their preferred candidates who will form the party’s Congress. We have carried out extensive grassroots sensitisation to ensure members understand the process,” Kiome said.
She added that President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who serve as the party leader and deputy party leader respectively, enjoy overwhelming support across the county.
Kiome, who was accompanied by several UDA legislators, assured party members that the elections will be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.
Among those present were 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.
She said the polls will be conducted using electronic voting gadgets that will provide real-time results, adding that constituency returning officers have already been trained.
“This is an election like any other and it complies with all electoral laws. Once voting is complete, results will be announced and displayed immediately. The electronic system has been used successfully in other counties, including Nairobi, without any cases of interference or hacking,” Kiome said.
The Meru UDA chairperson race has attracted three high-profile aspirants including; Senator Kathuri Murungi, Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri and politician Beatrice Karwitha, setting the stage for a tightly contested battle.
The trio has intensified campaigns as the polls draw closer, with the outcome expected to shape the party’s internal leadership and political direction in the county.
Rindikiri, who is also the Meru MPs caucus chairperson, said the county has 1,048 polling centres, each tasked with electing 20 officials to represent different party sectors.
“All preparations are complete. Polling stations will open at 9.00 a.m. and will close depending on the number of voters present,” he said.
He added that voters will be required to present a national identity card and must be registered as UDA members to participate in the exercise.
Rindikiri urged candidates who will not make it through the polls to support the winners in the spirit of party unity.
The grassroots elections will be followed by ward-level contests before progressing to sub-county and national party elections.
