UDA HAILS BY-ELECTION WINS AS HASSAN OMAR DEFENDS BROAD-BASED GOVERNMENT

BY NJOKI KARANJA 

The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has celebrated its victories in three by-elections held on Thursday, describing the results as a strong endorsement of President William Ruto’s administration and the broad-based government partnership with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi on Friday, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan congratulated the party’s winning candidates — David Keter, Daniel Lolngojione and Festus Korir — saying the victories demonstrated growing public confidence in the government’s development agenda.

“UDA competes everywhere, and UDA wins everywhere,” Hassan Omar said, terming the outcomes politically significant and a reflection of wananchi’s trust in the ruling party.

The UDA Secretary General said the wins in Emurua Dikir Constituency, Porro Ward in Samburu County and Endo Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County showed that voters were increasingly supporting what he described as “performance over propaganda.”

In a symbolic show of unity, Hassan Omar appeared at the briefing dressed in ODM party colours, saying the attire represented the strengthening partnership between UDA and ODM under the broad-based government arrangement.

“We want to dedicate this victory to the partnership because part of the victories have largely come as a consequence of the support and coordinated strategies that we’ve had as parties,” he stated.

Hassan Omar also launched a sharp attack on opposition leaders, accusing them of promoting ethnic politics and division instead of providing solutions to the challenges facing Kenyans.

“Some opposition leaders only become active when elections are in their regions. Their politics is built on ethnic emotions and incitement,” he said.

Without directly naming former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the UDA SG criticised leaders he accused of spreading bitterness and hostility against the government.

“There are leaders whose only agenda from morning to evening is venom, anger and division. Kenyans are tired of that kind of politics,” he said.

At the same time, Hassan Omar defended President Ruto’s administration, saying it had successfully navigated economic challenges while rolling out transformative programmes such as affordable housing, universal healthcare and social support initiatives.

According to him, many Kenyans were beginning to appreciate the impact of government policies despite criticism circulating on social media platforms.

“If you relied entirely on social media, you would think the country is collapsing. But the ordinary Kenyan understands the progress being made,” he said.

The UDA Secretary General further praised President Ruto’s international diplomacy, particularly Kenya’s hosting of the recent Africa Forward Summit, saying the event had elevated the country’s influence across the continent.

“Thirty-five African Heads of State do not come to a country because of weakness. That summit showed Kenya’s growing convening power globally,” he noted.

On the issue of rising fuel prices, Hassan Omar attributed the increases to global tensions in the Middle East, arguing that disruptions in international oil supply chains had affected fuel costs across the region.

“There is a global crisis. The blockade affecting global oil supply has pushed prices higher everywhere, not just in Kenya,” he explained.

While acknowledging the economic hardships facing many citizens, he maintained that the government remained committed to cushioning vulnerable Kenyans through subsidies and targeted interventions.

Hassan Omar also revealed that UDA was intensifying efforts to strengthen its grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying the party had already established a network of more than 580,000 grassroots leaders nationwide.

“We are not just building a party for elections. We are building an institution that will outlive individuals and remain strong for generations,” he said.

The by-elections held on May 14 are being viewed as an early political test for both the ruling coalition and the opposition as political realignments continue to take shape ahead of the 2027 General Election.