The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is leaving nothing to chance. In a bid to sanitize its internal democracy and assert its dominance in the Mountain region, the party has rolled out an aggressive sensitization campaign across Kirinyaga County ahead of the repeat grassroots elections scheduled for March 7.

This is not merely an administrative exercise; it is a political stress test. Following a botched initial attempt that was marred by irregularities and logistical failures, the party is keen to project an image of order and transparency. The stakes are high: control of the grassroots machinery is the key to securing the loyalty of the voting bloc ahead of the 2027 cycle.

The Digital Shift

The sensitization workshops, held in Gichugu and Ndia constituencies, revealed a significant pivot in strategy: the abandonment of manual voting. Party trainers, including Salma Ochieng, emphasized that the upcoming polls will be strictly electronic. This move is designed to eliminate the ballot stuffing and tallying errors that plagued the previous exercise, ensuring that the elected delegates truly reflect the will of the members.

• The Structure: Elections will cascade from the polling center level up to the ward, constituency, and finally the national level. Only those who triumph at the polling centers will serve as delegates for the subsequent rounds.
• Governor's Endorsement: Kirinyaga Governor and UDA heavyweight Anne Waiguru threw her weight behind the process, describing the workshops as proof that UDA is a "people-centered party that listens and responds." Her involvement signals the importance the party hierarchy attaches to getting this right.

Consolidating the Base

For the Kenya Kwanza administration, a unified and disciplined party structure is essential. The "sensitization" is as much about education as it is about mobilization. By engaging directly with aspirants and members at the village level, the party aims to heal rifts caused by the cancelled polls and re-energize its base.

As the March 7 date approaches, all eyes will be on Kirinyaga. A successful, seamless election here would serve as a template for the rest of the country. Another failure, however, could expose cracks in the ruling party's armor that the opposition would be all too eager to exploit.