UDA’s Hassan Omar Reveals Key Seats to Back ODM in Upcoming By-Elections

Nairobi, Kenya — September 26, 2025 (EAT). The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) will not be fielding candidates in three parliamentary seats in the upcoming by-elections, opting instead to support their broad-based partners, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

The Latest

UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar confirmed on Friday that the party will back ODM candidates in Ugunja, Kasipul, and Magarini constituencies, signaling a deepening of political cooperation between the two major parties.

The announcement came during UDA’s certificate handover programme, marking a strategic realignment ahead of the November 27, 2025 mini-polls.

“We have agreed with ODM that they will run in some elections and that we will not field candidates as UDA. For Baringo Senate and Mbeere North, Malava, and Banisa, UDA will field candidates without any ODM candidate being fielded,” Omar said.

The arrangement reflects a broad-based political partnership forged earlier this year between President William Ruto’s UDA and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM, both of whom have emphasized unity to stabilize the political landscape.

Context in Brief

• The by-elections: Triggered by court annulments, resignations, and deaths of sitting MPs across several constituencies.

• Broad-based pact: The Ruto–Odinga alliance, announced in early 2025, seeks to reduce political tension, consolidate resources, and avoid internal competition in select races.

• Past cooperation: Similar arrangements were tested during county by-elections in March 2025, where ODM and UDA alternated candidate endorsements in strategic seats.

Political and Legal Process

• IEBC Role: By law, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission oversees all nominations, campaign regulations, and voting procedures under the Elections Act, 2011.

• Timelines: Candidate registration deadlines close in mid-October, with official campaigns set to run until November 25, 2025.

• Next Steps: Political parties must submit final candidate lists to IEBC within seven days of certificate issuance.

Voices and Stakeholders

• UDA Position: “This cooperation reduces unnecessary electoral battles and focuses on development,” said Omar at UDA HQ, Nairobi.

• ODM Response: ODM Chairman John Mbadi welcomed the move, terming it a “show of political maturity” aimed at strengthening the broad-based government agenda.

• Analysts: Political scientist Prof. Macharia Munene noted that the arrangement “could mark the beginning of structured coalition-building ahead of 2027.”

Evidence & Data

• By-election seats: 6 parliamentary constituencies affected

• UDA fielding candidates: Malava, Banisa, Baringo Senate, Mbeere North

• ODM fielding candidates: Ugunja, Kasipul, Magarini

• Election date: November 27, 2025 (IEBC calendar)

Risks and Implications

• Political: Risk of alienating smaller coalition partners seeking visibility in the mini-polls.

• Governance: Success could entrench the broad-based government model, reducing opposition voices in Parliament.

• Public Perception: Voters may question whether deals limit democratic choice at the grassroots level.

What We Don’t Know

• Whether other smaller parties under the Kenya Kwanza alliance were consulted before seat-sharing decisions.

• How this arrangement affects ODM’s internal nominations in Ugunja, Kasipul, and Magarini.

• The long-term impact on 2027 presidential race alignments.

Timeline

• 2025-09-26: UDA confirms cooperation deal with ODM.

• 2025-10-15: IEBC candidate registration deadline.

• 2025-11-27: By-elections scheduled across six constituencies.

What to Watch

• ODM’s nomination outcomes in the three constituencies.

• IEBC’s management of campaigns and candidate submissions.

• Voter turnout levels as a measure of public acceptance of coalition politics.