A growing focus on internal organisation and ideological clarity is increasingly shaping how political parties prepare for the future.
Across the country, conversations about leadership quality, discipline and continuity have gained momentum, especially as parties seek to strengthen their grassroots presence and policy influence ahead of future electoral cycles.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has announced plans to establish a Leadership School aimed at training and nurturing current and future leaders within the party.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to institutionalise leadership development and ensure that party members are equipped with skills beyond campaign politics.
According to UDA officials, the proposed UDA Leadership School will focus on ideological orientation, governance, public policy, ethics, communication and political organisation.
The school is expected to target elected leaders, aspiring candidates, youth leaders and party officials drawn from different levels of government and party structures.
Party leaders say the initiative is designed to address long standing concerns about leadership preparedness in Kenya’s political landscape.
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By offering structured training, UDA hopes to cultivate leaders who understand constitutional principles, public service delivery and responsible decision making, while remaining grounded in the party’s values.
UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala said the school would help strengthen internal cohesion and promote issue based politics. He noted that the party wants to move away from personality driven leadership and instead build a cadre of leaders guided by clear ideology and policy direction.
The leadership school is also expected to play a role in mentorship, pairing experienced leaders with younger party members to ensure continuity and institutional memory.
UDA officials argue that such an approach will empower young leaders and women, who often face barriers to meaningful participation in politics.They note that if well implemented, the school could influence how parties recruit and prepare candidates ahead of elections.
However, some critics caution that the success of the initiative will depend on transparency, inclusivity and consistency. They argue that the school should not be used to entrench loyalty to individuals, but rather to promote democratic values and accountability.
As UDA moves forward with the plan, attention will be on how the leadership school is structured, funded and integrated into the party’s long-term strategy, with supporters hopeful it could set a new standard for political leadership development in Kenya.
They note that if well implemented, the school could influence how parties recruit and prepare candidates ahead of elections.
However, some critics caution that the success of the initiative will depend on transparency, inclusivity and consistency.
They argue that the school should not be used to entrench loyalty to individuals, but rather to promote democratic values and accountability.
As UDA moves forward with the plan, attention will be on how the leadership school is structured, funded and integrated into the party’s long term strategy, with supporters hopeful it could set a new standard for political leadership development in Kenya.
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