UDA postpones Tana River grassroots polls for second time in three months
The first postponement was announced on April 30, just two days before the elections were scheduled to take place on May 2. At the time, NEB chairman Anthony Mwaura said the polls had been pushed forward “until further notice”, without giving specific reasons for the decision.
The President William Ruto’s led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has postponed its Tana River grassroots elections for the second time in three months, throwing the party’s preparations into fresh uncertainty and frustrating aspirants who had been gearing up for the polls.
In a statement posted on its official X account on Thursday, August 13, 2026, the party’s National Elections Board (NEB) said the elections had been rescheduled following consultations with leaders and stakeholders from Tana River County.
The polls, which were previously postponed from May 2, 2026 will now be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, between 8am and 5pm at polling centres across the county.
“Following a consultative meeting held with leaders and stakeholders from Tana River County, the National Elections Board hereby notifies all party members and prospective aspirants that the grassroots election in Tana River County has been rescheduled,” UDA said.
The latest postponement marks the second delay of the exercise within three months, raising questions over the party’s ability to conclude its grassroots elections in the county amid growing competition among aspirants.
The first postponement was announced on April 30, just two days before the elections were scheduled to take place on May 2. At the time, NEB chairman Anthony Mwaura said the polls had been pushed forward “until further notice”, without giving specific reasons for the decision.
The board had appealed for calm and patience from party members, leaders, aspirants and other stakeholders as it worked on a fresh roadmap for the exercise.
The latest announcement now gives aspirants and party members just a week to prepare for the rescheduled polls, which are expected to determine grassroots leadership across the county.
UDA has not indicated whether the August 20 date is final, but the board said the rescheduling was necessary to allow the party to complete preparations for the exercise.
