The National Elections Board of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, issued a notice for repeat grassroots elections in Tana River and Mombasa counties.

The elections will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, after the initial exercise held on April 11, 2025, was marred by disputes and claims of irregularities.

Polling stations will be set up in constituencies such as Garsen, Galole, and Bura in Tana River County, as well as in various wards in Mombasa County. Voting is scheduled to run from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

”The National Elections Board of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) hereby issues a notice of repeat grassroots elections to all party members in Tana River and Mombasa Counties,” a statement by UDA on their social media pages reads in part.

NOTICE OF REPEAT GRASSROOTS ELECTIONS TANA RIVER AND MOMBASACOUNTIES

The National Elections Board of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) hereby issues a notice of repeat grassroots elections to all party members in Tana River and Mombasa Counties. pic.twitter.com/NGjMHTcGq2

— United Democratic Alliance, UDA. (@UDAKenya) May 13, 2025

This decision is part of the party’s broader strategy to clean up the electoral process and restore confidence among members ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The leadership aims to solidify UDA’s grassroots presence and address concerns raised by party members and leaders from the Coast region.

The first round of party primaries was fraught with conflict.

Several UDA leaders from the region boycotted the process, accusing the party’s Secretary General, Hassan Omar, and officials close to him of favouritism.

They alleged that candidates linked to certain figures were given an unfair advantage.

Disappointment with earlier polls

Nyali MP Mohammed Ali, popularly known as Moha Jicho Pevu, publicly declared on April 10, 2025, that he would not take part in the grassroots elections.

In a video message, he accused party officials of manipulating the process and betraying the will of the people. “Tutabaki na wananchi,” said Moha, expressing frustration over the way the party was handling internal democracy.

Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana also raised objections.

He said the primaries in Tana River were not held according to party rules.

He accused national party officials of tampering with voter registers and bringing in outsiders to influence the outcome.

Mungatana further alleged that elected leaders from rival parties like ODM were involved in disrupting the process.

He called on his supporters to boycott the elections, citing a lack of transparency and rising internal interference.

With the repeat elections now scheduled, UDA hopes to correct past mistakes, ensure fair participation, and unify its support base in these politically significant coastal counties

ODM’s dominance in the coast

Traditionally, the Coast region has been a stronghold of the ODM party, as seen in past general elections where most elected leaders hail from ODM or its affiliate parties linked to Raila Odinga.

The ongoing grassroots elections appear to be UDA’s strategic effort to win over more supporters from the region.