NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 21 — President William Ruto-led UDA has registered a percentage point rise in approval ratings since June to stand at 34 per cent, a new poll by TIFA has revealed.
In a report released on Thursday, the rival party Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lost ground from 18 per cent to 16per cent.
“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,” read the report.
The report stated UDA is strongest in Central Rift (48 per cent), Mt. Kenya (45 per cent) and Northern Kenya (45 per cent).
“The results from Northern are perhaps more significant, just in late July last year TIFA found that ODM and Jubilee combined were far more popular than was UDA (51 per cent vs 31 per cent), yet now UDA is twice as popular as ODM there, with Jubilee’s support minimal,” the report indicated.
ODM registered a higher rating in Nyanza (40 per cent).
In Nairobi, ODM polled behind UDA (27 per cent) at 20 per cent while in Western UDA was scored at 31 per cent compared to Orange Party’s 19 per cent.
TIFA’s assessment of coalitions revealed a steady decline in support with the ruling Kenya Kwanza ceding ground from 49 per cent in June to 35 per cent in September.
The opposition Azimio coalition fell from 40 per cent to 28 per cent over the same period.
TIFA however reported a surge in the number of undecided respondents on coalition affiliation from 13 per cent to 36 per cent.
The report comes at a time the ruling outfit has embarked on an ambitious recruitment drive in a bid to expand its base and protest its existing strongholds.
UDA expansion drive
The yellow party has particularly been targeting opposition strongholds where it bagged marginal votes in the August 2022 General Election.
The party has announced plans to hold grassroots elections as part of measures to strengthen it.
“UDA will have elections and all the officers and officials are serving on an interim basis. The party will decide for national elections from the polling stations to the wards, constituency, county all the way to the national office,” Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced in June.
He said the party aims to open offices in all corners of the country to have a base in all 47 counties.
On September 9, President William Ruto launched new UDA Central region offices in Nyeri town confirming planned elections in December.
“All members of UDA will have elections in December. We are going to announce the timetable for elections in December so that we can build the party as an institution of governance,” Ruto said.
President Ruto has called a National Governing Council (NGC) meeting for UDA to plan for the upcoming local elections.
The meeting slated for September 29 will be held at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi, UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala announced on Tuesday.
“Pursuant to and in accordance with article 7,8.1(vi) (ix) and 24.5 (ii) of the United Democratic Alliance Constitution, the secretary general upon request and concurrence of the party leader, H.E William Ruto now and hereby convenes the National Governing Council to be held on 29th September 2023 at 9.00 AM at Bomas of Kenya,” he stated.
Malala said the NGC will also focus on the future plans of the party.
