UDA Leaders Back Digital Nominations as Party Awards Certificates to By-Election Candidates
UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar Hassan presents a nomination certificate to Poro Ward MCA nominee Daniel Lolngojine during the party’s certificate issuance ceremony at the UDA headquarters in Nairobi.
NAIROBI, March 31 — The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has issued nomination certificates to winners of the party primaries in Emurua Dikir Constituency, Poro Ward in Samburu County, and Endo Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County, with party leaders lauding the credibility of the nomination process and urging members to remain united ahead of upcoming by-elections.
Speaking during the certificate issuance ceremony at the party headquarters in Nairobi, UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar Hassan congratulated the successful candidates and commended the National Elections Board for conducting what he described as transparent and efficient nominations.
“On my behalf, on behalf of the chairperson, the party leader and the deputy party leader, I wish to sincerely congratulate the National Elections Board led by Anthony Maura. They have done this party proud,” Hassan said.
He noted that candidates cleared through the board had consistently gone on to win elections, expressing confidence that the newly nominated candidates would achieve similar success.
“Every candidate you have handed over to us based on your good work has ended up winning, and this will not be an exception,” he said, citing previous by-elections where the party secured all available seats.
Hassan said UDA had built a reputation for conducting credible internal elections, adding that strong participation by party members demonstrated growing confidence in the party’s systems.According to him, the recent primaries recorded high voter turnout, with participation levels reaching between 60 and 70 percent in some areas.
“This gives us confidence that party members trust the process. Technology has eliminated many forms of contestation and dissatisfaction,” he said.
The Secretary-General also called on candidates and supporters who lost in the nominations to accept results gracefully and support the party’s flag bearers.
“In Kenya, we must create a culture where leaders concede elections with integrity and honour. Anger should be expressed through the ballot box, not on social media,” he said.
He emphasized that political competition within the party should strengthen rather than divide members, noting that internal contests were part of democratic growth.
“The President has given firm instructions that those in the UDA family must not treat political competition as enmity. We remain one team after nominations,” Hassan added.
Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, who also addressed the gathering, praised the party’s adoption of electronic voting during nominations, describing it as a significant step toward credible party primaries.
“I have witnessed tremendous improvement in how nominations are conducted since 2013. The electronic voting process is a landmark achievement for this party,” Mandago said.
He explained that technological improvements had enhanced voter identification and reduced errors, ensuring transparency in the selection of candidates.
“The system now identifies voters directly through their ID details, meaning there is minimal room for error and the nominees truly reflect the will of members,” he said.
Mandago noted that UDA had positioned itself as a pioneer in digital political processes in Kenya and could serve as a model for other parties across the continent.
“We can become a party where others come to learn how to conduct credible nominations,” he added.
The senator further urged successful candidates to remain loyal to the party’s manifesto once elected, saying leaders have a responsibility to implement promises made to voters.
“When you are elected through a political party, you are duty-bound to support its policies because those commitments form part of the mandate given by the electorate,” he said.
He cited key government priorities including affordable housing, universal health coverage, food security and business reforms as commitments leaders must help deliver ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Mandago also encouraged winners to work closely with their former competitors to strengthen party unity.
“In political contests there will always be opponents, but once elections are over, we must come together and work as one team,” he said.
The ceremony marked the official endorsement of UDA candidates ahead of the forthcoming electoral contests, with party leaders expressing optimism that unity, technology-driven nominations and strong grassroots support would enhance the party’s performance in future elections.
