The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has turned its internal elections into a massive fundraising machine. With over 12,000 aspirants scrambling for party tickets and a cool Sh31.8 million already banked in registration fees, the race for 2027 has officially begun, and it is crowded, expensive, and brutal.

The staggering numbers reveal a party that has successfully positioned itself as the only vehicle to power. The sheer volume of applicants—from seasoned veterans to fresh-faced graduates—signals that the UDA ticket is viewed as the golden ticket. But beneath the celebratory numbers lies a brewing storm of fierce rivalries. The entry of heavyweights like Evans Kidero and Isaac Rutto into the fray has unsettled the existing order, creating a "high-octane" environment where incumbents are looking over their shoulders.

The roll call of Titans

The list of aspirants reads like a Who’s Who of Kenyan politics. In Nairobi, former Governor Evans Kidero is gunning for the UDA ticket, setting up a potential titanic clash with current Governor Johnson Sakaja. In the Rift Valley, Isaac Rutto seeks to reclaim his relevance. These "big names" bring resources and networks, but they also bring baggage and ego.

The creation of the "UDA Aspirants Forum" is a strategic move to manage this surplus of ambition. By corralling the losers of 2022 and the hopefuls of 2027 into a single structure, the party hopes to prevent the kind of fallout that plagued the Jubilee administration. However, managing 12,000 egos is a logistical nightmare that will test the party’s internal democracy to its breaking point.

• The Revenue Stream: The tiered fee structure—Sh100,000 for presidential hopefuls down to Sh2,000 for MCAs—has capitalized the party for the grassroots battles ahead.
• The Grassroots War: The real battle is not in Nairobi, but in the 1,450 wards where 10,230 aspirants are fighting for visibility.
• The Loyalty Test: With "new faces" flooding the party, original founders are wary of being displaced by wealthy newcomers.

The Rumble in the Mountain

The intensity of the contest is highest in the Mt. Kenya region, where the UDA ticket is virtually synonymous with election victory. Here, the distinction between a party primary and the general election is blurring. The "Aspirants Forum" meeting at State House is more than a photo op; it is a loyalty parade.

As the party prepares for its grassroots elections, the leadership faces a delicate balancing act. They must encourage competition to energize the base, while preventing the kind of cutthroat infighting that destroys cohesion. The UDA machine is well-oiled and well-funded, but as history shows, the bigger the bus, the harder it is to steer.