Kindiki warns against overshadowing actual candidates during campaigns
By Luke Oluoch, September 26, 2025Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has warned the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidates against overshadowing actual candidates while campaigning for them ahead of the upcoming by-elections across the country.
Speaking during the handing over exercise of nomination certificates at the party’s headquarters on Friday, September 26, 2025, the DP warned that the move could backfire with people construing it having a leader being imposed on them.
“For our team who are going to help our candidates, do not go ahead of the candidate. Wananchi hates projects. People like to see the person they are electing. That is the person who is going to be their MP, senator or MCA,” he stated.
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The DP advised the campaigning team to only offer auxiliary support without being overly assertive like real candidates.
“The rest of us, let us rally behind the candidate and offer the support they need,” he posited.
Party primaries
The DP also delved into the matter of party primaries, challenging political parties on the need to embrace fair and credible nominations.
While citing the case of the UDA primaries, Kindiki stated that political parties should set the pace of democracy through their own efforts before demanding the same from IEBC.
“Party primaries are the first and last bastion for democracy. We must fairly conduct them before demanding accountability from IEBC. We have seen parties falling short of fair primaries. It is untidy for democracy. For us, we made history. We conducted the by-elections electronically. It has worked wonders and I challenge the NEB to expand it to all constituencies in the coming primaries,” he stated.
His remarks come as the UDA party angles for the upcoming by-elections set to be conducted on November 27, 2025.
According to the party’s Secretary General, those cleared to vie include Leonard Njeru for Mbeere North, David Athman Ndakwa for Malava, and Ahmed Maalim Hassan Alio for Banissa constituency in Mandera.
Omar also opined that the party would back ODM candidates in three parliamentary contests, asserting that the decision was reached to avoid unnecessary fights with their broad-based partners in government.
The seats are in Ugunja, Kasipul, and Magarini constituencies.
“We work as a team to demonstrate the spirit of broad-based government. The arrangement is to ensure we do not get mired in endless fights with our partners. We look forward to peaceful elections,” he added.
The SG’s sentiments were also echoed by the DP who hailed the concession achieved as critical.
“We have made a concession so that our partners in the broad-based association will field candidates in Ugunja, Kasipul, and Magarini. We will also be fielding candidates in all the 17 wards by elections in different parts of the country,” he stated.