The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) will conduct its grassroots elections in 22 counties on Thursday, as the party races against time to conclude the staggered exercise ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In Kisumu County, officials say preparations are complete for the largely digital exercise that will be carried out across all 35 wards.
County Returning Officer, Charles Mundia, said election materials are already being transported to the region and will be distributed to more than 500 polling stations ahead of the vote.
“We will begin distribution early, and by 7am all gadgets will be at the polling stations. Voting will start at 8am and run until 5pm, and no voter will be left out,” said Mundia during a sensitisation forum.
The party, he said, will deploy 580 tablets to facilitate the process, with each device handled by trained returning officers.
A final training session for election officials is scheduled for Wednesday.
At each polling station, members will elect representatives to 20 positions across various party structures, with those elected proceeding to serve as delegates in subsequent ward-level elections.
Mundia said the adoption of a digital system is intended to address challenges experienced in earlier phases of the exercise in other parts of Nyanza, where delays and logistical hitches were reported.
“This is not a repeat election. It is the first time we are conducting the exercise in Kisumu, and the organisation is different because the process is electronic,” he said.
He added that the party is also intensifying voter sensitisation efforts, with officials urging members to turn out in large numbers.
Kisumu County, he said, has about 157,000 registered UDA members expected to participate.
“We are relying on both the media and our members to spread the message so that everyone understands what is required of them on Thursday,” Mundia added.
However, some members raised concerns over communication gaps and access to polling stations, calling for enhanced coordination to ensure inclusivity.
Acting county vice chairperson, Beatrice Amondi, assured members that the exercise will be peaceful, free and fair.
She added that the party was in talks with the Ministry of Education to have some of the schools used for the exercise.
The grassroots elections are a key step in UDA’s plan to build its structures from the bottom up as it prepares for the next general election cycle.
By Chris Mahandara
