The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has postponed its Repeat Phase III grassroots elections that were scheduled for March 7, 2026, following the sudden death of Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng'eno.
In a notice dated March 2, 2026, the party’s National Elections Board (NEB) said it “regrettably, wishes to inform all the respective UDA Leaders, Members and Candidates of the postponement of the Repeat Phase III Grassroot Elections slated for Saturday March 7,2026, following the sudden and tragic demise of one of its distinguished Leader.”
The party said the decision was made out of respect and solidarity during the mourning period. “In respect to and in solidarity with the subsequent period of mourning, we have found it necessary to adjust our timelines accordingly,” the statement read in part.
The Repeat Phase III grassroots elections in 19 counties — including Meru, Kiambu, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Nyeri, Embu and Bomet — have now been rescheduled to Saturday, March 14, 2026.
Additionally, the Repeat Phase II grassroots elections in 23 counties will now take place on Thursday, April 9, 2026. The affected counties include Mombasa, Kilifi, Machakos, Kisumu, Kakamega, Turkana, Mandera and Garissa, among others.
NEB Chairman Anthony Mwaura thanked party members for their understanding during the period of mourning, stating, “We extend our gratitude for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.”
The postponement temporarily halts UDA’s ongoing grassroots restructuring exercise, which is aimed at strengthening party structures at the local level.
Party officials indicated that the revised dates will allow members to fully participate in the electoral process once the mourning period concludes.
Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno and his four aides together with the pilot lost their lives on Saturday evening when a helicopter they were travelling in went down in Chepkiep, Mosop Constituency, Nandi County.
Authorities said the pilot faced poor visibility caused by heavy rainfall and attempted an emergency landing. Reports indicate that the pilot briefly engaged herders in the area to assess the weather conditions before taking off again. The aircraft is said to have crashed roughly 300 metres after lifting off.
All six people on board died in the accident and were burnt beyond recognition. Their remains were moved to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for preservation and later airlifted to Lee funeral home in Nairobi.
The National Assembly had began the arrangement for the send-off of Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno following his death in a helicopter crash in Nandi County, dispatching planning teams to support his family and coordinate burial arrangements.
In a statement on Sunday, March 1, 2026, the National Assembly confirmed that an official team had been sent to the Nairobi residence of the late lawmaker to begin preparations.
“The Parliament of Kenya has started funeral preparations for Emurua Dikirr lawmaker Johana Ng’eno Kipyegon following his tragic death on Saturday evening. A staff planning team is already at the late MP’s Nairobi residence to offer support to the family and begin coordinating funeral arrangements for the late legislator,” read a statement by the National Assembly.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, also appointed a group of legislators to work closely with the bereaved family.
The team is led by Tinderet MP Julius Melly and Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri, alongside eight other members of Parliament, to coordinate burial plans for the third-term legislator.
Further details on the funeral programme and burial arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days as Parliament and the family continue with consultations.
