The Democracy for the Citizen Party (DCP) Nairobi Patron, Irungu Nyakera, has criticised the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for conducting grassroots elections in the Mt Kenya region, terming the exercise a waste of time and resources that will not alter the prevailing political mood on the ground.

Taking to X on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Nyakera compared UDA’s current efforts to the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) failed attempt to entrench itself in Mt Kenya during the 2022 election cycle, a period when ODM was deeply unpopular in the region.

Futile exercise

”UDA holding grassroots elections in Mt Kenya today is no different from ODM attempting the same in 2022 when it was deeply unpopular in the region. It is a pointless exercise that burns time and resources without changing political reality,” his statement said in part.

According to him, the outcome is predictable, arguing that party activities carried out in an area where public support has already waned rarely deliver meaningful political gains.

Nyakera questioned the motivation of those participating in the grassroots polls, claiming attendance is largely driven by financial inducements rather than genuine belief in the party’s ideology or leadership. He maintained that such tactics may create the illusion of activity but do little to shift entrenched political loyalties.
He further asserted that Mt Kenya’s political landscape has already changed, insisting that the region has moved on from UDA and firmly aligned itself with Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) and its leader, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

”Those showing up are not driven by belief but by the cash being handed out. Mt Kenya has already moved on, and its loyalty is firmly with DCP and its party leader HE @rigathi,”’ he said.

Meanwhile, Nyakera’s sentiments come after Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has urged UDA candidates to strengthen party unity and organisation as the ruling party prepares for internal elections scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026.

Stronger UDA

In a statement posted on his X account on Friday, January 9, 2026, the vocal senator called for the party to emulate the organisational structures of major global political parties to ensure long-term stability and effectiveness.

“We need to make our party stronger and organised like USA Republican and Democratic political parties, the Chinese Communist Party, Tanzania’s CCM Party and Uganda’s NRM party, amongst others,” Cherargei stated.

Cherargei extended his best wishes to all UDA candidates across the country, with particular emphasis on those from his home county of Nandi.