Kenya’s leading political parties, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), are intensifying their grassroots mobilization efforts in anticipation of the 2027 general elections. Both parties have scheduled significant internal elections aimed at strengthening their leadership structures and engaging with grassroots supporters.
ODM’s Grassroots Elections
The ODM has announced plans to conduct grassroots elections across all 47 counties. These elections are pivotal as they will establish leadership at the polling unit level, including positions within the Mainstream, Women League, and Youth League. The party’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) has set November 27, 2024, as the new date for these elections, which were previously postponed due to flooding. This will be the first set of elections held without former party leader Raila Odinga, who stepped down to focus on his African Union Commission chairmanship bid.
UDA’s Grassroots Elections
Similarly, the UDA is gearing up for its grassroots elections, with the second phase scheduled for April 11 and 12, 2025. These elections will take place across 22 counties, including Bungoma, Garissa, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kilifi, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Migori, Mombasa, Nyamira, Siaya, Taita Taveta, and Turkana. A total of 113,800 candidates have registered to contest, with registration remaining open until March 21, 2025. To ensure transparency and efficiency, the UDA has procured over 10,000 digital devices to facilitate electronic voting, aiming for instantaneous results at polls closure.
Strategic Importance
These internal elections are more than just procedural; they are strategic moves to solidify party structures ahead of the 2027 general elections. For ODM, the elections offer an opportunity to rejuvenate its leadership base in the absence of Odinga’s direct influence. For UDA, the elections are crucial in unifying the party after previous internal disputes and in integrating new allies, such as Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress. Both parties are emphasizing participatory leadership and grassroots engagement as key components of their electoral strategies.
Looking Ahead
As ODM and UDA prepare for these pivotal grassroots elections, all eyes will be on how effectively they can mobilize support and establish robust leadership structures. The outcomes of these elections are expected to have significant implications for the political landscape leading up to the 2027 general elections.
