The United Democratic Alliance has set a nomination fee of KSh250,000 for aspirants seeking its ticket in the upcoming Ol Kalou Constituency by election, setting the stage for what is shaping up to be a competitive race.
The ruling party invited interested candidates on Sunday to apply through its online portal, outlining strict timelines and requirements ahead of the primaries.
Women, youth and persons living with disabilities will pay a subsidised fee of KSh125,000.
The party said its nominations will be conducted on May 9, with registration for aspirants opening on April 27 and closing on May 3 at 5pm.
UDA emphasised that all applications must be processed through its digital platform, where aspirants will also be required to pay the nomination fee via an M Pesa prompt generated by the system.
“Registration is only considered complete after both registration and payment are successfully done through the portal,” the party said.
The party also directed that any public officer intending to vie must resign from office by April 30, in line with electoral laws.
The announcement comes as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission prepares for the by election scheduled for July 16.
IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the poll follows the official declaration of a vacancy in the seat by the National Assembly Speaker.
Political parties have been instructed to submit the names of their candidates and dates of their primaries by May 4.
The Ol Kalou seat fell vacant after the death of former MP David Njuguna Kiaraho, who passed away on March 29 while undergoing specialised treatment at The Nairobi Hospital.
The by election is expected to draw interest from multiple parties, with early indications showing a scramble for the seat as formations begin lining up candidates.
While UDA has settled on a KSh250,000 fee, other parties are also expected to announce their nomination charges in the coming days, a factor that often influences the calibre and number of aspirants who join the race.
