As the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) conducts its nominations today for the Ol Kalou Constituency by-election, the exercise stands out as a major political test for the ruling party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
With ten aspirants battling for the party ticket, the stakes are high not only for the candidates but also for UDA’s image, unity and credibility in the Mt Kenya region.
The party has adopted electronic voting using tablets and other digital systems in an effort to improve transparency and efficiency.
However, technology alone cannot guarantee a credible process unless the nominations are guided by fairness, integrity and accountability from start to finish.
Kenyan political parties have in the past faced criticism over disputed nominations, voter bribery, favoritism, delayed results and claims of imposed candidates.
Such controversies often create internal rebellion, weaken party structures and push dissatisfied aspirants into independent bids.
For UDA, today’s exercise is an opportunity to prove that internal democracy remains one of the party’s guiding principles.
A free and fair nomination process will strengthen the legitimacy of the eventual winner and help unify supporters after the exercise. It will also send a strong message to voters that the party respects the will of its grassroots members.
To achieve this, UDA must ensure equal treatment for all candidates, smooth distribution of voting materials, transparent tallying of votes and prompt communication of results.
Party officials overseeing the process must remain neutral to avoid unnecessary tension or disputes.
Most importantly, the party must avoid any perception of favoritism or interference. In modern politics, public trust is just as important as electoral victory. If party members feel sidelined or cheated, the political consequences could easily spill into the July 16 by-election.
The Ol Kalou nominations therefore provide UDA with a crucial chance to demonstrate political maturity and strengthen confidence in its internal processes.
A peaceful and transparent exercise would not only protect party unity but also reinforce public faith in democratic competition within political parties.
