Siaya Governor James Orengo has declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2027, positioning himself as a key challenger to President William Ruto's re-election bid.

• Mr. Orengo has been actively campaigning, particularly in Nyanza and Western Kenya, to garner support for his presidential ambition.
• He is working closely with a faction within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, to present a united front.
• Mr. Orengo emphasized the need for the Luo community to have a presidential candidate to negotiate from a position of strength, pointing to issues like collapsed sugar factories and unresolved border conflicts as reasons for his move.

UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar stated that victories in recent by-elections solidify public confidence in President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 polls.

• UDA secured wins in Emurua Dikirr constituency and Porro Ward and Endo Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
• The wins are seen as a demonstration of the Kenya Kwanza administration's continued support and the political strength of UDA.
• Hassan Omar highlighted the strong partnership between UDA and ODM as a key factor in the victories, attributing them to coordinated campaign strategies.

Kenya's major political parties, including UDA, ODM, and DCP, are actively seeking new candidates for the 2027 general election, marking a significant scramble for political aspirants.

• Over 12,000 politicians have registered with the UDA alone, indicating widespread interest in running on party tickets.
• Key parties like UDA and ODM are using these application windows to gauge their popularity and identify loyal members.
• The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has introduced registration fees, ranging from KSh 5,000 to KSh 50,000, to ensure aspirant commitment.