CCK Party leader Moses Kuria registers to vie for MP seat on Ruto’s UDA ticket
By Mustafa Juma, February 2, 2026Former Cabinet Secretary and Chama cha Kazi (CCK) party leader Moses Kuria has sparked political debate after registering as an aspirant to contest the Gatundu South parliamentary seat on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kuria confirmed the move by sharing a screenshot on his social media platforms on the night of Sunday, February 1, 2026, showing his successful registration as a UDA MP aspirant, having paid a fee of Ksh5,000.
The development has raised eyebrows across the political divide, given that Kuria is the founder and current leader of CCK, a party that has previously fielded candidates under its own banner, with the most recent being the November 27, 2025, Mbeere North parliamentary by-election.
“I’ve registered as an aspirant to vie for Gatundu South MP on UDA ticket,” Kuria stated, without offering further explanation on how the decision aligns with his leadership of CCK.
Kuria’s UDA campaign poster
The former President Ruto’s senior economic advisor then shared a 2027 UDA campaign poster for the Gatundu South parliamentary seat, bearing his details and slogan.
The move has ignited speculation about the future of CCK and Kuria’s long-term political strategy, with a section of Kenyans in Kuria’s comment section interpreting it as a sign of deepening alignment with President Ruto’s ruling party.
UDA currently dominates the political landscape in Mt Kenya, where Gatundu South is located.
UDA aspirants’ registration deadline
Kuria has announced his UDA registration just hours before the deadline.
UDA had announced February 2, 2026, as the deadline for registration into its Aspirants’ Forum for party members seeking to contest various elective positions in the 2027 General Election.
In a notice issued by the UDA National Elections Board (NEB) Chairperson Anthony Mwaura on Thursday, January 29, 2026, the ruling party called on all qualified and interested members to complete their registration by Monday, February 2, at 11:59 p.m.
UDA further announced that the Aspirants’ Forum meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, starting at 8:00 a.m., at the State House, Nairobi.
Aspirants attending the meeting will be required to carry their National Identity Cards for verification purposes.
“All duly registered aspirants are invited to attend the UDA Aspirants’ Forum meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 4th February, 2026, at 8.00 a.m., at State House, Nairobi, and are required to carry their National Identity cards for verification purposes,” the notice read.
Moses Kuria’s relationship with Ruto
Kuria, a seasoned politician and former Gatundu South MP, has in recent years maintained a close working relationship with President Ruto, despite him resigning in 2025 as senior economic advisor, having also served in key Cabinet positions since the Kenya Kwanza administration took office in 2022.
His decision to seek elective office under UDA is being viewed by some observers as a pragmatic move aimed at consolidating political support in a highly competitive region.
However, the announcement has also drawn criticism from sections of the public and political commentators who question the relevance of smaller parties when their leaders seek tickets from dominant outfits during elections.