Inside Politics

Ruto leads thousands of UDA supporters in party meeting at Gachagua’s Nyeri stronghold

Saturday 17th January, 2026 11:29 AM| By Mabonga Makhanu

Thousands of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party grassroots leaders have convened at Sagana State Lounge for a party meeting.

The event is currently ongoing, with President William Ruto gracing the occasion. The entire state lounge has been painted yellow, as supporters donned party colours, giving the venue a vibrant yellow appearance.

Top party officials are also in attendance, including UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar and UDA Chairperson and Embu Governor Cecil Mbarire, along with other leaders allied with the UDA party.

President William Ruto presiding over a UDA meeting in Nyeri. PHOTO//Screengrab by People Daily Digital/https://www.facebook.com/TheUDAKenya

This gathering follows the completion of UDA grassroots elections, which saw massive turnout from party members across various regions voting for officials at the grassroots level.

The president himself also participated, presenting himself at Koilel Primary School in UDA party colours and queuing to exercise his democratic right within the party.

William Ruto while queuing at Koilel Primary School on Satuday, January 10, 2025. PHOTO//https://www.facebook.com/TheUDAKenya

Ruto NEC meeting

Recently, the President also conducted a UDA National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting aimed at deliberating on the outcomes of the grassroots elections. A key agenda was discussing the push by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Central Management Committee (CMC), which tasked their party leader, Oburu Odinga, to initiate pre-coalition talks with the UDA party.

According to Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, the NEC also gave the President, as the party leader, the go-ahead to begin pre-coalition talks with other parties, including ODM.

This comes at a time when the political tide in Mt Kenya appears to be slowly shifting. The President has been making visits to counties that were previously regarded as the political stronghold of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, including Nyeri County.

Ruto woos Nyeri

Mutahi Kahiga and William Ruto during a church service at ACK St Paul’s Church in Kariki, Othaya, Nyeri County. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/William Samoei Ruto

Where he held rallies at the beginning of the week and a church service during the weekend, which saw Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga declare his allegiance to President William Ruto and his support for the UDA party.

“Mimi ndio governor wa Nyeri. Ni yeye nilipigia kura awe rais, na mimi sijui rais mwingine. Sijui mbona mnachanganyikiwa; kwa hivyo mimi bado niko na rais,” he said.

Following the meeting, according to Mathira MP Erick Wamumbi, the President is also set to make visits in Mathira to launch a number of development projects.