
UDM, UDA In Show Of Might Ahead of Ruto's North Eastern Tour
UDM, UDA In Show Of Might Ahead of Ruto’s North Eastern Tour
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are engaged in an aggressive charm offensive in Mandera County.
This marks the first time the two parties are locked in a fierce battle for dominance in Northern Kenya since the 2022 general elections.
In a show of strength that exposed underlying sibling rivalry within Kenya Kwanza, UDM’s top leadership, led by Mandera Senator Ali Roba, stormed the county over the weekend for a series of rallies.
At the same time, UDA leaders arrived in Mandera to open a county office, signaling a potential political showdown between the two allied parties.
On Sunday, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot inaugurated the party’s new office in Mandera.
UDA nominated MP Abdisirat Khalif, along with other leaders, including former Senator Mohamed Mahamud, held town hall meetings to engage local stakeholders.
The engagements come ahead of President Ruto’s much-anticipated visit to Mandera this week, during which he is expected to officially launch the UDA office.
Leading UDM’s political campaign in Northern Kenya, Ali Roba addressed the growing tensions between the two parties, questioning UDA’s sudden interest in the region.
He criticized UDA leaders for only stepping up their activities in Mandera upon learning of President Ruto’s visit.
“The President will visit and leave in a few days. What next? A rushed and poorly planned initiative is bound to be short-lived,” Roba cautioned.
“If they truly had the party’s best interests at heart, they should have focused on organizing a united and dignified welcome for the President instead of sowing division by pitting sister parties against each other.
Leadership is about building, not tearing down.”
However, the UDA team in Mandera dismissed Roba’s claims, stating that the opening of county offices is part of an ongoing grassroots activation campaign.
Nominated MP Abdisirat Khalif emphasized that UDA has been strengthening its grassroots presence across the country, and Mandera is no exception.
“What is happening in Mandera is not unique but part of UDA’s national campaign to expand its physical presence in the grassroots,” Khalif said.
He denied that UDA was panicking in response to UDM’s mobilization efforts, stating that the party remains focused on its expansion strategy.
“The opening of our county office is a major step forward in enhancing our party’s presence and ensuring every voice is heard,” he added.
On Saturday, UDA leaders engaged residents in a town hall meeting, discussing key issues and mobilizing support for the party before Omar and Cheruiyot arrived.
Speaking at the launch of the UDA office in Mandera County, Omar said the office would facilitate smooth party operations and membership growth.
“Our goal is to recruit more members in this region, which previously voted for the opposition,” Omar noted.
During the 2022 general elections, UDM established itself as the dominant party in Northern Kenya, securing the majority of seats in Mandera County.
UDM captured the governor and senate seats.
Initially allied with Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja coalition, UDM later defected to Kenya Kwanza and signed a post-election coalition agreement after the polls.
Out of the six constituencies in Mandera, UDM won four including Mandera North, Mandera, South, Mandera West and Banissa
Only two seats went to other parties: Mandera East – won by ODM’s Hussein Weitan Lafey – won by Jubilee’s Mohamed Abdikheir
UDM, UDA In Show Of Might Ahead of Ruto’s North Eastern Tour