Mandera County has become the battleground for two Kenya Kwanza Alliance partner parties, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), as they intensify their political activities ahead of President William Ruto’s visit. The rivalry between the two parties, which have been allies since the 2022 general elections, has escalated in a contest for grassroots supremacy in Northern Kenya.
Over the weekend, UDM, led by Mandera Senator Ali Roba, held a series of rallies in a show of strength. Simultaneously, UDA leaders, including Secretary General Hassan Omar and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, arrived in Mandera to inaugurate a new county office, setting the stage for a political showdown. UDA’s move is seen as a strategic effort to cement its presence in the region, which has historically been dominated by UDM.
President Ruto’s upcoming tour has heightened political tensions, with both parties seeking to demonstrate their influence. Speaking during UDM’s rallies, Ali Roba questioned UDA’s sudden interest in Mandera, criticizing the party’s efforts as reactionary.
“The President will visit and leave in a few days. What next? A rushed and poorly planned initiative is bound to be short-lived,” Roba stated, arguing that true leadership requires long-term planning rather than short-term political maneuvers.
UDA leaders, however, dismissed Roba’s concerns, maintaining that their efforts in Mandera are part of a nationwide grassroots activation campaign. Nominated MP Abdisirat Khalif emphasized that UDA is focused on expanding its national footprint and that Mandera is no exception.
“The opening of our county office is a major step forward in ensuring that every voice in this region is heard,” Khalif said, downplaying suggestions that UDA is scrambling to counter UDM’s influence.
The competition for dominance in Mandera is fueled by UDM’s strong electoral presence in the region. During the 2022 elections, UDM secured key positions, including the governor and senate seats, and won four out of six constituencies. The party initially belonged to Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja coalition but later defected to Kenya Kwanza after the elections, signing a post-election coalition agreement.
As President Ruto prepares for his visit, the ongoing battle between UDA and UDM underscores the political realignments shaping Kenya’s northern frontier. The President’s engagements in Mandera are expected to further influence the power dynamics within the Kenya Kwanza coalition, as both parties seek to consolidate their influence in the region.
