Faith Masita
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secured a clean sweep in Thursday’s by-elections, clinching victories in Mbeere North Constituency and Kabras Ward, in results that reinforce the ruling party’s growing grassroots dominance.
In Mbeere North Constituency in Embu County, UDA candidate Geoffrey Ruku emerged victorious in the parliamentary race, defeating his closest rivals in a tightly contested poll. The seat fell vacant following Ruku’s appointment to the Cabinet, prompting the by-election.
In Kabras Ward in Kakamega County, UDA’s candidate also carried the day, outpacing contenders from rival parties in a contest viewed as a key test of the party’s influence in Western Kenya.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the polls were conducted peacefully across the affected areas, with voter turnout described as moderate. Election officials oversaw the exercise without major disruptions, paving the way for the timely declaration of results.
The twin victories further solidify UDA’s standing as the dominant political force, particularly in the Mt Kenya and Western regions, where parties allied to the opposition have been seeking to make inroads. Political analysts say the outcome reflects sustained mobilisation efforts by the ruling party at the grassroots level.
Party leaders welcomed the results, terming them a reaffirmation of public confidence in the government’s development agenda. They argued that the by-elections serve as an early indicator of political alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The opposition, while conceding defeat in the two contests, maintained that the by-elections were localized races and not necessarily reflective of national voting patterns.
With the latest wins, UDA continues its strong showing in recent mini-polls, reinforcing its parliamentary numbers and tightening its grip on county representation across key regions of the country.
In Mbeere North Constituency in Embu County, UDA candidate Geoffrey Ruku emerged victorious in the parliamentary race, defeating his closest rivals in a tightly contested poll. The seat fell vacant following Ruku’s appointment to the Cabinet, prompting the by-election.
In Kabras Ward in Kakamega County, UDA’s candidate also carried the day, outpacing contenders from rival parties in a contest viewed as a key test of the party’s influence in Western Kenya.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the polls were conducted peacefully across the affected areas, with voter turnout described as moderate. Election officials oversaw the exercise without major disruptions, paving the way for the timely declaration of results.
The twin victories further solidify UDA’s standing as the dominant political force, particularly in the Mt Kenya and Western regions, where parties allied to the opposition have been seeking to make inroads. Political analysts say the outcome reflects sustained mobilisation efforts by the ruling party at the grassroots level.
Party leaders welcomed the results, terming them a reaffirmation of public confidence in the government’s development agenda. They argued that the by-elections serve as an early indicator of political alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The opposition, while conceding defeat in the two contests, maintained that the by-elections were localized races and not necessarily reflective of national voting patterns.
With the latest wins, UDA continues its strong showing in recent mini-polls, reinforcing its parliamentary numbers and tightening its grip on county representation across key regions of the country.
