A total of 3,803 aspirants have registered to vie for elective positions on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket just five days after the party opened its online registration portal ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The early surge underscores intense competition within President William Ruto’s party and signals high stakes for members seeking its coveted tickets.
According to figures released by the party, the registrations include 64 aspirants for gubernatorial seats, 98 for Senate contests, 138 for Woman Representative positions, 640 for parliamentary seats, and a dominant 2,863 aspirants seeking to run for county assembly seats across the country.
Party officials said the figures indicate a high level of interest across all levels of elective posts.
The registrations follow a notice issued on January 22 by the party’s National Elections Board (NEB), inviting all qualified members to enlist as participants in the UDA Aspirants’ Forum. The forum is scheduled for February 4 and will be chaired by President Ruto at State House.
Party officials said the forum aims to bring aspirants together and guide them through the nomination process in an orderly manner.
The NEB is a key organ within the UDA tasked with shaping and overseeing the nomination process for general elections. Its responsibilities include developing rules for nominations, setting timelines, and resolving disputes that may arise during the process.
The board emphasized that its role is critical to ensuring transparent and credible internal elections.
The registration portal, accessible through the party’s official website, allows aspirants to formally enrol for the forum. Party officials said this marks the first structured step in UDA’s preparations for the 2027 polls. The portal also requires aspirants to pay non-refundable registration fees, which vary depending on the seat being sought.
County assembly aspirants are required to pay Sh2,000, while candidates for parliamentary, Woman Representative, or Senate positions must pay Sh5,000. Gubernatorial hopefuls are required to pay Sh10,000.
Payments can be made via M-Pesa using Paybill number 888092, with aspirants instructed to use their national identification number as the account reference. Alternatively, payments can be processed through an Equity Bank account held in the name of the United Democratic Alliance.
NEB chairman Anthony Mwaura said the process was designed to be convenient while maintaining proper record-keeping and transparency.
“All qualified and interested party members who wish to contest for various elective seats in the 2027 General Election are hereby invited to register as members of the UDA Aspirants’ Forum,” the notice reads.
Mwaura added that the board remains committed to overseeing a nomination process that is orderly, credible, and transparent, emphasizing that all aspirants must comply with registration guidelines to avoid disqualification.
Party officials noted that the early registration numbers indicate significant interest in county assembly seats, which account for the majority of aspirants. Analysts said this trend reflects a competitive political environment at the grassroots level, with aspirants seeking to consolidate influence ahead of the national polls.
They added that high MCA registrations may also be driven by the relatively lower registration fee, making it accessible to a larger pool of party members.
The UDA’s registration exercise comes amid broader preparations by political parties ahead of the 2027 General Election. Party officials said early registration helps them plan logistics, allocate resources, and ensure that all aspirants understand the nomination process.
They emphasized that the exercise also allows aspirants to familiarize themselves with party rules, timelines, and dispute resolution mechanisms, which are critical for maintaining internal cohesion.
While the registration process is ongoing, party leaders have encouraged aspirants to ensure they meet eligibility criteria. They stressed that failure to adhere to registration requirements, including payment of fees and submission of identification details, may result in disqualification.
Officials also said aspirants should prepare to attend the forum, where additional guidance on campaign conduct, party policies, and internal compliance will be provided.
The party’s early enrolment figures signal that competition within UDA is likely to intensify in the coming months. Party insiders said aspirants are eager to secure tickets early, ensuring they are recognized as official candidates ahead of possible primaries.
Analysts also noted that early registration could help aspirants build visibility among party structures and gain early support from local party leadership.
In conclusion, the UDA’s online registration portal has seen a surge in early enrolments, reflecting high political engagement and competition among party members. With 3,803 aspirants already registered, including hundreds targeting parliamentary and county assembly seats, the party is preparing for a structured and transparent nomination process.
Party officials said the forum scheduled for February 4 will formalize the aspirants’ registration and set the stage for orderly contests for the 2027 General Election.
