Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has clarified that incumbent leaders of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) do not need to register as party aspirants at this stage.
In a statement shared across his social media platforms just before President William Ruto’s upcoming meeting with all aspirants at State House on February 4, 2026, Kindiki emphasized that sitting UDA governors, senators, members of parliament, and county assembly members are not required to register as aspirants at this time.
He highlighted the significant increase in the number of aspirants ahead of the inaugural United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party Aspirants Forum meeting.
As the registration period through the UDA Aspirants Forum approaches its conclusion, Kindiki disclosed that 149 individuals are vying for the 47 gubernatorial seats, 279 are contending for the 47 elected senator positions, 323 have registered for the 47 woman representative seats, 1,372 are aiming for the 290 National Assembly constituency seats, and an impressive 10,230 aspirants are competing for the 1,450 elected ward representative positions.
This surge brings the total number of registered aspirants to an impressive 12,353.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi had previously predicted this total. At that time, 7,772 aspirants were registered. He noted that if the trend continued, by January 30, 2026—just three days before the registration deadline—over 12,000 individuals would likely have completed their registration.
“Kufika usiku wa leo, wale ambao wameonyesha interest katika Kenya mzima ni 7,772, na hii namba inazidi kupanda. Huwenda ikifika Jumatano itakuwa imefika 12,000 au 15,000 ya wale ambao wanatafuta kiti cha kisiasa,” Mudavadi stated.
The announcement follows the official launch of the UDA aspirants forum by the party’s National Steering Committee (NSC), chaired by President William Ruto. The committee has set the registration deadline for February 2, 2025.
Prominent politicians, including former Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny, have already registered, aiming to reclaim the seat he lost in 2022.
The registration process will culminate in an aspirants’ forum at State House, hosted by the President, on February 4, 2025.
