The Orange Democratic Movement has raised alarm over what it terms an aggressive push by the United Democratic Alliance to penetrate its grassroots networks in Vihiga and Kakamega counties.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, ODM claimed that several of its elected leaders and county officials had recently been drawn into UDA’s internal campaign and strategy meetings, including a session held on January 6, 2026. Attempts by The Star to obtain a response from UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar Hassan were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi alleged that UDA had gone further to establish a regional presidential caucus allegedly involving ODM members, an action he said contravenes the Political Parties Act as well as ODM’s internal constitution.
According to ODM, the move amounts to an orchestrated effort to weaken the party from within. The party accused UDA of luring its members under the misleading claim that the two parties have an existing political cooperation agreement.
“These actions are calculated and predatory, aimed at undermining ODM’s grassroots structures through intimidation, inducement and threats against officials who resist,” ODM said, warning that some senior party figures had faced threats of expulsion or violence for speaking out.
The party said the situation is particularly sensitive following the death of its long-time leader Raila Odinga, noting that ODM is still in the process of reorganising and strengthening its leadership.
ODM categorically dismissed claims of any formal alliance with UDA, stressing that no binding agreement exists to justify joint political activities at either national or grassroots levels. It clarified that the only engagement between the two parties is a limited 10-point reform agenda under the mid-2024 Broad-Based Government framework, which expires in 2027.
“This reform agenda does not constitute a coalition, pact or cooperation agreement between ODM and UDA,” the statement said.
ODM further accused UDA of attempting to exploit structures built by the party over more than two decades, describing the alleged strategy as an effort to gradually edge out ODM officials without triggering public resistance.
Reaffirming its independence, ODM cautioned its members to remain vigilant and avoid being misled by what it termed opportunistic political maneuvers.
“ODM remains a distinct political party and is not an appendage of UDA. The broad-based arrangement does not define how the two parties will approach the 2027 elections,” the party said.
