ODM alleges UDA plot to hijack Western Kenya support base

By Newsflash Reporter

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has accused the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of orchestrating a hostile political takeover of its grassroots networks in Western Kenya, warning that the move threatens party unity at a delicate moment following the death of its longtime leader, Raila Odinga.

In a hard-hitting press statement released on Wednesday, January 8, 2026, ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi alleged that UDA had begun co-opting ODM legislators, county officials, and grassroots leaders in Vihiga and Kakamega counties under what he termed false pretenses of political cooperation.

Secret meetings

According to ODM, several of its elected leaders in Western Kenya have recently participated in UDA electoral and campaign strategy meetings, including a high-level engagement held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Golf Hotel in Kakamega. The meeting, convened by senior UDA officials, was reportedly attended by Members of Parliament and other leaders elected on the ODM ticket.

Osotsi claimed that ODM members are being encouraged to take part in upcoming UDA grassroots elections after being misled that the two parties have entered into a formal political cooperation agreement.

He dismissed those claims as outright false, insisting that no such pact exists at either the national or grassroots level.

The statement further accuses UDA of forming a so-called “regional presidential caucus” made up of ODM members, an action ODM says violates both the Political Parties Act and the ODM constitution.

“This is happening in various parts of Western Kenya, particularly in Vihiga and Kakamega counties, where UDA has attempted—and in some cases succeeded—in luring ODM MPs, MCAs, and county officials into its programmes,” Osotsi said.

‘Predatory acts’ amid ODM transition

ODM described UDA’s actions as predatory and undertaken in bad faith, arguing that the ruling party is exploiting a period of internal transition following Raila Odinga’s death. The party warned that the alleged infiltration is part of a broader strategy designed to weaken ODM from within.

Osotsi claimed that the Golf Hotel meeting and similar engagements amount to a calculated hostile takeover, accompanied by threats of violence and expulsion against senior ODM officials who have publicly questioned UDA’s conduct.

“The intention is to escalate internal divisions within ODM despite ongoing efforts by the party hierarchy to resolve challenges internally, without undue interference by opportunistic external forces,” he said.

The statement also warned that UDA’s alleged strategy seeks to quietly leverage ODM’s extensive grassroots networks—built over more than two decades—to prepare the ground for sidelining what it termed “undesirable” ODM officials, while avoiding public backlash.

No pact beyond 2027

ODM was categorical that there is no legally binding cooperation agreement between it and UDA. Osotsi clarified that the only existing framework linking the two parties is the 10-point reform agenda signed after the mid-2024 Gen Z protests that led to the formation of the Broad-Based Government.

He emphasized that the reform agenda, which is set to lapse in 2027, does not amount to a political merger or electoral pact and offers no guidance on how the two parties will approach the 2027 General Election.

“ODM remains a distinct political party. It is not an appendage of UDA,” Osotsi said, urging party members to resist being “hoodwinked into illegal acts.”

He welcomed reports that ODM grassroots officials in Vihiga and Kakamega who had initially engaged with UDA activities have since withdrawn and reaffirmed their loyalty to the Orange party.

“ODM members must remain vigilant and defend the party’s independence,” Osotsi said.