The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has announced plans to front a single candidate in the upcoming Mbeere North Constituency parliamentary by-election, aiming to consolidate support and project party unity ahead of the polls.
In a statement issued on Friday through its official social media platforms, UDA revealed that Deputy President and party Deputy Leader Kithure Kindiki had convened a meeting with all aspirants seeking the ticket. Also present were immediate former Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, the party’s national chairperson.
“The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party will, by consensus or party primaries, settle on a single candidate to fly our flag in the upcoming by-election to elect the next Member of Parliament for Mbeere North Constituency,” the statement read.
The party said it will first explore consensus among the aspirants to identify the most suitable candidate. Should the talks fail to yield agreement, UDA will conduct competitive party primaries as a fallback option. Leaders also resolved to develop a joint campaign programme to be launched immediately after unveiling the nominee, targeting grassroots mobilisation across the constituency.
The announcement came shortly after UDA’s National Elections Board declared September 20, 2025, as the date for party nominations in preparation for multiple by-elections. The exercise will include contests for vacant seats in the National Assembly, Senate, and County Assembly wards nationwide. Interested candidates have been encouraged to apply via the party’s online portal.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has scheduled all pending by-elections to begin on November 27, 2025, citing constitutional provisions under Article 259 for guiding delayed timelines. The commission has planned to gazette the polls in two phases.
The first batch of gazettements, covering 16 ward by-elections, was issued on August 8, 2025, alongside the appointment of Returning Officers and Deputy Returning Officers to oversee the process. The Mbeere North contest is expected to be among the high-profile races, with UDA keen on retaining influence in the constituency and ensuring minimal internal competition to boost its chances at the ballot.
With the roadmap now set, all eyes will be on the party’s ability to broker consensus and present a united front ahead of the November vote.