The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has unveiled plans to expand its political presence in Eastern Kenya, with Makueni County emerging as a key target ahead of the 2027 General Election. The party's strategy was announced by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who revealed that UDA intends to field candidates for all elective positions in Makueni, from the governor's seat to Members of the County Assembly (MCAs). Speaking during a rally at Kiaoni Market on Thursday, July 23, Mutuse stated UDA was positioning itself as a national party capable of delivering development to Makueni residents, while faulting both current and previous county leadership for failing to address the region's challenges.
"We have decided that our people have lived through hardship for far too long because of poor leadership. Our people have developed a habit of following tribal-based political parties. We have now said that we no longer want ethnic parties.
We want a national party, and that party is UDA," Mutuse said. The MP announced that UDA would field Professor Philip Kaloki for the Makueni gubernatorial seat and Andrew Mulwa Mutava for the Senate seat, urging residents to back the party's candidates in the next General Election. He further stated the party was not only targeting the county's top seats but also a complete political takeover, with UDA aiming to win all six parliamentary constituencies in Makueni and secure a majority of the 30 MCA seats.
"We have also decided that we want a governor who is close to the ordinary citizen, a governor who understands the challenges facing everyday people. Our hospitals have lacked medicines for too long. We want to change that, and we have decided that, as the UDA party, we will field a development-oriented governor, Professor Philip Kaloki," He said.
According to Mutuse, the region should align its local leadership with the national government, expressing confidence that President William Ruto would retain power beyond the 2027 General Election. His remarks signal the beginning of UDA's push to challenge Wiper Party's dominance in Makueni and the wider Ukambani region. For years, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has been regarded as the region's political kingpin, with the party controlling the majority of elective seats across Ukambani.
UDA's latest push in Makueni comes as President Ruto's allies seek to strengthen the party's foothold in the region, with some local leaders declaring their willingness to work with the national government. The party has previously maintained that it will field candidates for all elective positions in the 2027 General Election as part of its strategy to expand its grassroots support across the country.