Political parties

Negotiated Democracy Takes Center Stage in Kenyan Politics

Strategic Insights

Sep 8, 2025 — 1 min read

Key players in Kenya's major political parties have adopted a negotiating strategy ahead of the 2025 by-elections and the 2027 General Elections. The approach has seen parties urging aspirants to drop out of the polls in favor of their more popular colleagues. This effort aims to boost the parties' chances of winning in the 23 electoral areas.

Key Takeaways:

President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) are using a negotiated democracy approach to reaffirm their influence ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
UDA has ceded ground to ODM in the Kasipul and Ugunja constituencies, while ODM has agreed to back UDA candidates in Malava and Banisa constituencies, as well as in the Baringo senatorial race.
UDA National Elections Board chairman Anthony Mwaura stated that the plan is to ensure that UDA wins more than 80% of the seats in the 23 electoral areas.
ODM's former MP Geoffrey Ruku was elected on the party ticket in 2022, earning the opposition camp's endorsement of Democratic Party's candidate in the Mbeere North by-election.
Talks are ongoing in the opposition camp to have some aspirants drop out of the race to avoid splitting their votes, with DAP-K Secretary General Eseli Simiyu stating that they will use popularity rating surveys to decide the best candidate for the seat.

Statistics:

23 electoral areas set to hold elections on November 27, 2025
UDA has aspirants in both Ugunja and Kasipul constituencies
UDA has attracted the interest of 4 candidates in Malava constituency
ANC elected 7 MPs in the 2022 General Election, with Malulu Injendi garnering 22,891 votes
In the upcoming by-election, DAP-K Secretary General Eseli Simiyu stated that they will use scientific polling and opinion polls to decide the best candidate for the seat

Sources:

Daily Nation
Presidential speech by William Ruto on August 31, 2025
Interview with UDA National Elections Board chairman Anthony Mwaura
Statement by DAP-K Secretary General Eseli Simiyu
Election results from the 2022 General Election

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