“Decisive Victory”: UDA Celebrates By-Election Wins, Defends Ruto Government’s Record Ahead of 2027

By Gedion Nzyoki - 

• The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) says its latest by-election victories reflect growing public confidence in President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
• Party Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan defended the government’s development agenda, highlighting key reforms, regional diplomacy, and economic stabilization measures.
• The ruling party also dismissed opposition criticism and recent opinion polls, insisting its grassroots support remains strong across the country.

Nairobi, Kenya | May 15, 2026 — The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has hailed its recent by-election victories, describing them as clear evidence of growing public confidence in President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration ahead of the 2027 general election.

UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan addresses the press at the party headquarters in Nairobi on Friday morning. Photo: UDA/Facebook.

Speaking on Friday morning during a press briefing at the party headquarters, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan said the ruling party’s wins in Emurua Dikirr Constituency, Poro Ward in Samburu County, and Endo Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County reflect sustained public support for the broad-based government.

“The continued vote of confidence that Kenyans have extended to President William Ruto, his government, and its programmes demonstrates the impact of the UDA party and the broad-based government, despite the propaganda and negative ethnicity often seen on social media,” Omar said.

According to the party, UDA candidates David Kipsang Keter, popularly known as “Dollar Line,” Daniel Longdini, and Festus Kipkorir Kirwa secured victory in their respective contests. The party said the latest wins mark the third consecutive wave of successful by-elections for UDA and its coalition partners, following earlier victories recorded in November and February.

“We won decisively in November across the country, we won again in February, and now in May it is three out of three. UDA competes everywhere and UDA wins everywhere,” Omar added.

The UDA Secretary General also acknowledged the support of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), noting that cooperation within the broad-based government played a key role in securing the victories. 

He said the continued electoral success reflects public confidence in President Ruto’s leadership, despite criticism from opposition leaders and online commentators.

He further defended the government’s development record, pointing to progress in affordable housing, healthcare reforms, and broader economic transformation under the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Omar also commended President Ruto’s international engagements and Pan-African agenda, particularly following the recent African Forward Summit attended by several African leaders and French President Emmanuel Macron. He said the summit underscored Kenya’s growing influence in continental affairs and dismissed criticism questioning the President’s Pan-African credentials.

The former Mombasa Senator urged African countries to deepen regional economic integration and reduce reliance on foreign financial institutions by leveraging African capital to finance development projects.

On rising fuel prices, Omar attributed the increase to global supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions involving Israel and the United States, noting that the situation has pushed up fuel prices worldwide. 

He added that Kenya’s government-to-government fuel import arrangement has helped stabilize supply despite the higher global costs.

He further noted that ongoing discussions on expanding Africa’s industrialization and oil refining capacity—including proposals linked to investments associated with Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote—could help improve long-term energy security.

Omar also reiterated the need for African nations to strengthen regional economic integration and reduce reliance on foreign financial institutions by mobilizing domestic capital for development projects.

He further stated that subsidies and tax reduction measures have been introduced to cushion Kenyans from the impact of rising fuel prices.

On opinion polls, the UDA Secretary General dismissed recent findings by TIFA Research suggesting declining support for the ruling coalition, insisting that internal party data shows strong backing ahead of the next General Election.

“If there is any pollster I have little confidence in, it is TIFA. Just weeks before the election, they placed me at 6 percent, yet I eventually secured 44 percent,” he said, dismissing the results.

He also criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other opposition leaders, maintaining that they pose no significant political threat to the ruling coalition.

Omar concluded by expressing confidence that UDA will head into the 2027 elections buoyed by its development record and sustained grassroots support across the country.