UDA Ramps Up Campaign to Challenge ODM’s Influence in Nyanza

President William Ruto’s UDA party is ramping up its efforts to register new members in Nyanza to eat into ODM’s support base.

Homa Bay County has long served as a steadfast stronghold for Raila Odinga and the ODM party. With a determined objective, UDA officials aim to enlist 350,000 fresh faces into their ranks before 2027. In the previous year, the County boasted a voter registration count of 551,000 individuals. Yesterday, the UDA party launched their membership drive in the Ndhiwa constituency of Homa Bay, fervently encouraging the community to join their cause.

In Migori, a comparable effort is currently being undertaken, spearheaded by Omondi Anyanga, the Chairman of the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority. In Ndhiwa, the endeavour is led by former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Odoyo Owidi (Chairman of Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency), Martin Ogindo (Chairman of Fish Marketing Authority), and Kennedy Obuya (Interim Chairman of Homa Bay County UDA). Dr. Kidero stresses the importance of the community contemplating a different direction leading to the 2027 General Election.

He contends that it might not be the wisest decision to place exclusive reliance on a single political party, as has been the case before. Owidi stresses the significance of respecting individual preferences in the forthcoming party primaries for the 2027 General election. He implores politicians in the region to demonstrate mutual respect, irrespective of their party affiliations.

According to Owidi, there are ODM politicians who are using violence to impede UDA’s growth. He stresses the importance of fair competition in politics, stating that it is unfair to restrict a politician from speaking at an event based solely on their party affiliation.