A new poll conducted by TIFA has unveiled a significant surge in approval ratings for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), led by President William Ruto.
The party’s popularity has risen by a notable percentage point since June, now standing at an impressive 35 percent, since the former Kakamega Senator Mr. Cleophas Malala, was appointed the party’s Secretary-General.
In contrast, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), a rival to UDA, has seen a decline in its approval ratings, slipping from 18 percent to 16 percent.
According to the report released on Thursday, UDA continues to maintain its dominance as a political party, with its popularity nearly double that of the opposition ODM.
Tahe report stated, “UDA remains the dominant political party, its level of popularity being nearly twice that of the Opposition’s ODM. All others combined attract less than half of that of ODM.”
UDA’s stronghold regions include the Central Rift (48 percent), Mt. Kenya (45 percent), and Northern Kenya (45 percent). Notably, the report pointed out that UDA’s surge in Northern Kenya was particularly significant, as it had previously lagged behind ODM and Jubilee combined in popularity but now leads by a substantial margin.
ODM, on the other hand, registered a higher approval rating in Nyanza, standing at 40 percent.
In Nairobi, UDA outpaced ODM with 27 percent compared to 20 percent. In Western Kenya, UDA scored 31 percent, while the Orange Party garnered 19 percent.
The report also shed light on the shifting dynamics of political coalitions in Kenya. The ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition saw its support decline from 49 percent in June to 35 percent in September.
Likewise, the opposition Azimio coalition witnessed a decrease from 40 percent to 28 percent during the same period.
Interestingly, the TIFA report noted a surge in the number of undecided respondents regarding their coalition affiliation, rising from 13 percent to a significant 36 percent.
The timing of this report coincides with the ruling UDA’s vigorous recruitment efforts aimed at expanding its political base and solidifying its existing strongholds.
The party has been strategically targeting opposition-dominated regions where it made inroads during the August 2022 General Election.
UDA’s expansion strategy includes grassroots elections and the establishment of offices in all 47 counties. President William Ruto, during the launch of UDA Central region offices in Nyeri town, confirmed plans for internal elections scheduled for December. These elections will span from polling stations to county levels.
To further strategize for the upcoming local elections, President Ruto has called for a National Governing Council (NGC) meeting, scheduled for September 29 at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi. This meeting will not only address election planning but also outline the future plans of the UDA party.
As UDA’s influence continues to grow, Kenya’s political landscape is witnessing dynamic shifts, setting the stage for heightened competition and evolving alliances in the lead-up to future elections.