Homa Bay UDA team ready for 2027, says Diida after conclusion of grassroot elections

UDA party is ready for 2027 polls in Homa Bay after concluding the county grass-root polls, elections board member Halake Diida has said.

Diida argued that the grassroots poll is one of the strategies the party is using to prepare for the 2027 general election.

The party is expected to fill candidates for various elective positions in the next polls and compete with ODM which has been the dominant party in Homa Bay and the entire Nyanza region.

Diida said the conclusion of the grass-root elections has given the party an impetus to continue endearing itself to the electorate in Homa Bay County.

The elections enabled the party to have structures which is a platform for coordinating its activities.

“The exercise we have conducted is an indication of the party’s readiness for the main polls in Homa Bay. We did it peacefully and credibly,” Diida said.

The exercise saw 20 officials elected to coordinate the party activities at the county office. The officials included the county chairperson, secretary, treasurer and other 17 officials.

It had a total of 159 delegates participated in the exercise.

Diida who presided over the exercise said they had a total of 44 candidates who were vying for various positions in the election.

The exercise saw former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, former Raila Odinga’s aide Silas Jakakimba, the party county acting chairman Kennedy Obuya, acting assistant coordinator Kennedy Ongati, acting coordinator John Odek and Suba South secretary Joshua Magadi cast their votes.  

“All delegates got an opportunity to cast their vote. There were no technical hitches experienced during the election exercise,” he added.

Speaking during the elections at the party office headquarters in Homa Bay town, Diida expressed optimism that the conducive environment experienced during the voting exercise will enable the will of the people to prevail in the election.

“Every candidate will get the number of votes they deserve. The transparency in the process will enable the will of the people to prevail,” he added.

Jakakimba said the election will enable UDA to compete with ODM which has been popular in Homa Bay. The party has registered more than 100,000 people as members in the county.

He said UDA has put all structures in place to ensure it gains the desired vigour in the county.

“UDA has already elected officials at the polling station, ward, and all the eight constituencies in Homa Bay. The structures will enable it to challenge ODM in membership and political seats in the 2027 general election,” Jakakimba said.

In the party elections, Jakakimba was vying for the post of UDA secretary in the county.

“We want Homa Bay residents to continue joining UDA because the party leader, President William Ruto, means well for them,” he added.

Obuya who is vying for the county party chairmanship post expressed hope that UDA will register more than 300,000 members before 2027.

“We’re committed to undertaking membership registration. The registration exercise will resume immediately after the elections,” Obuya said.

Ongati and Magadi said promised to remain in the frontline and popularise the party in Homa Bay ahead of the next general elections.

“I’m ready to work closely with the other officials to make UDA more popular in Homa Bay. Proper coordination will make us succeed,” Ongati said.

Magadi argued that the peaceful manner in which UDA undertook its election has enabled it to increase its popularity in Homa Bay.

“The credible grass-root election exercise has earned UDA popularity in Homa Bay. The party will win seats in 2027 elections,” Magadi said.