Blow to Ruto as UDA Grassroots Elections Face Backlash In Mt Kenya As Presiding Officers Fail To Do This

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) conducted its grassroots elections across several counties on Saturday, January 10, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen party structures at the local level. 

Kirinyaga County was among the regions where party members turned up to elect officials at polling centre level.

The exercise was expected to begin at 9.00 a.m. and conclude at 3.00 p.m. However, voting did not start on time in several parts of Kirinyaga due to logistical challenges. 

The main problem was the late arrival of presiding officers at various polling stations, causing frustration among voters and candidates.

The affected areas included Mwea, Gichugu, and Kirinyaga Central constituencies. In Mwea, polling centres in Wamumu, Nyangati, and Murinduko wards remained inactive for several hours. 

Similar delays were reported at Gathoge Polling Station in Gichugu and Mutito Polling Station in Kirinyaga Central.

Governor Anne Waiguru, the most senior UDA leader in the county, raised concerns over the situation early in the day. 

She cautioned that any polling centre where voting failed to take place due to the absence of officials would not have its results recognised. 

Her statement was aimed at protecting the credibility of the process and preventing disputes later.

By midday, the situation began to stabilise after presiding officers reported to most of the affected stations. Voting resumed in areas that had earlier stalled, including Murinduko, Nyangati, and Wamumu wards. 

The return to normal operations restored confidence among party members, many of whom had waited patiently.