UDA targets Muslim vote in Mt Kenya as 2027 race hots up

This shift was evident during an elaborate Iftar dinner hosted at Moi Stadium in Embu Wednesday evening, where key UDA bigwigs, led by Party Chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Secretary General Hassan Omar, and Senator Alexander Mundigi, engaged the Muslim community. The event was more than just a religious gathering; it was a strategic outreach that signals UDA’s broader plan to lock in crucial votes ahead of the 2027 elections.

Governor Mbarire while making her speech, she was keen to highlight her administration’s deliberate effort to integrate the Muslim community into government, citing the employment of 25 Muslim staffers over the past two years. This is a significant move in a region where politics has traditionally been dominated by a Christian voter base. Mbarire’s messaging suggests that UDA is keen to expand its support base beyond traditional Mt Kenya voting blocs.

Mbarire's sentiments were echoed by Hassan Omar, the party’s Secretary General and a close ally of President William Ruto who reinforced this message, emphasizing that Ruto’s government was committed to treating all religions equally. Omar reassured Muslims that past injustices, such as arbitrary arrests of Muslim youth under terrorism suspicions, were being addressed, urging them to take advantage of new ID registration policies.

Beyond religious inclusion, this event carried deeper political undertones. The presence of Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji who has recently been government critic appearing in similar event alongside Governor Mbarire raised eyebrows, given their past political clashes.

With Deputy President Kithure Kindiki being positioned as the most senior Mt Kenya leader in Ruto’s administration, the messaging from Omar and Mundigi seemed designed to remind the region’s Muslims that they have direct access to power through Kindiki. This is significant, especially as rival political forces begin regrouping in anticipation of 2027.

Mt Kenya remains a politically unpredictable region, with internal rifts among Ruto allies threatening to disrupt unity. Recent grumblings within the UDA fold, particularly from well known figures  indicate that UDA cannot afford complacency. By reaching out to the Muslim community, UDA is expanding its base while subtly working to iron out internal divisions.

With opposition leaders also courting different voter blocs, the Embu Iftar dinner is a clear sign that UDA is leaving nothing to chance. Whether this outreach translates into real political gains remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—2027 politics is already in full swing in Mt Kenya.