UDA Unveils Strategy to Challenge Wiper’s Grip on Ukambani Ahead of 2027 Elections

UDA Unveils Strategy to Challenge Wiper’s Grip on Ukambani Ahead of 2027 Elections

MAKUENI, Kenya – The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has officially launched an ambitious political campaign to penetrate the opposition-dominated Ukambani region, unveiling plans to contest every elective seat in Makueni County as it seeks to loosen the long-standing grip of the Wiper Democratic Movement ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The strategy, announced by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, signals one of UDA’s most aggressive attempts yet to establish itself in Eastern Kenya, a region that has for years been regarded as the political stronghold of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Speaking during a political rally at Kiaoni Market on Thursday, July 23, Mutuse declared that UDA was positioning itself as a national development-oriented party capable of transforming the fortunes of Makueni residents through closer collaboration with the national government.

“We have decided that our people have lived through hardship for far too long because of poor leadership. Our people have developed a habit of following tribal-based political parties. We have now said that we no longer want ethnic parties. We want a national party, and that party is UDA,” Mutuse told supporters.

UDA Targets Every Elective Seat

The legislator revealed that UDA intends to field candidates for all elective positions in Makueni County, including the governorship, Senate, parliamentary constituencies and county assembly seats.

As part of the strategy, the party endorsed Professor Philip Kaloki as its preferred gubernatorial candidate and Andrew Mulwa Mutava for the Senate seat.

Mutuse urged residents to rally behind the party’s candidates, arguing that aligning county leadership with the national administration would accelerate development projects and improve service delivery.

“We have also decided that we want a governor who is close to the ordinary citizen, a governor who understands the challenges facing everyday people. Our hospitals have lacked medicines for too long. We want to change that, and we have decided that, as the UDA party, we will field a development-oriented governor, Professor Philip Kaloki,” he said.

Beyond the county’s top leadership positions, UDA announced plans to compete for all six parliamentary constituencies in Makueni and secure a majority of the county’s 30 Member of County Assembly (MCA) seats.

Development Agenda Takes Centre Stage

During the rally, Mutuse criticised both the current and previous county administrations, accusing them of failing to adequately address key challenges facing residents, including healthcare, infrastructure and economic development.

He argued that despite years of devolution, many communities continue to struggle with inadequate medical supplies, limited employment opportunities and poor access to essential public services.

According to the MP, electing leaders affiliated with the national government would improve coordination between county and national administrations and unlock more development resources.

Mutuse also expressed confidence that President William Ruto would secure a second term in office in 2027, urging Makueni voters to elect leaders who would work closely with the national administration.

Challenge to Wiper’s Political Dominance

UDA’s latest political offensive is widely viewed as a direct challenge to Wiper’s dominance in Ukambani.

For more than a decade, Kalonzo Musyoka has remained one of the region’s most influential political figures, with Wiper consistently winning the majority of parliamentary, gubernatorial and county assembly seats across Makueni, Kitui and Machakos counties.

Political analysts say breaking Wiper’s influence in the region will require sustained grassroots mobilisation, given the party’s deeply established support network.

However, UDA leaders believe growing engagement with local communities and increased government development projects could gradually shift political loyalties ahead of the next elections.

Part of a Wider National Strategy

The Makueni campaign forms part of UDA’s broader strategy to expand its footprint beyond its traditional support bases.

The ruling party has repeatedly maintained that it intends to field candidates for every elective position across the country in the 2027 elections, as it seeks to strengthen its grassroots structures and broaden its national appeal.

In recent months, President Ruto’s allies have intensified political tours across regions traditionally associated with opposition parties, including Nyanza, Western Kenya and Ukambani.

Those efforts have been accompanied by renewed calls for political realignment around development rather than ethnic or regional affiliations.

Battle for Eastern Kenya Begins

With just over a year before political campaigns gather full momentum, UDA’s declaration marks the opening salvo in what is expected to be a fiercely contested battle for Eastern Kenya.

While Wiper remains firmly entrenched across much of Ukambani, the ruling party appears determined to test its popularity by presenting itself as an alternative capable of delivering closer ties with the national government and accelerated development.

Whether the strategy succeeds in reshaping the region’s political landscape remains to be seen, but the contest for Makueni has already begun taking shape as one of the key battlegrounds heading into the 2027 General Election.

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UDA Unveils Strategy to Challenge Wiper’s Grip on Ukambani Ahead of 2027 Elections