“UDA Doing Predatory Acts Against ODM!” – Senior Party Official Claims
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has accused the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of seeking a “hostile takeover” of its grassroots affiliates in Western Kenya, focusing on Vihiga and Kakamega counties.
In a statement made on Thursday, ODM stated that some of its legislators and county officials were invited to UDA campaign meetings under the guise of a political cooperation pact.
One such gathering occurred on January 6 at a hotel in Kakamega, where several ODM MPs reportedly attended a UDA meeting.
“The predatory acts by the UDA party are regrettable and in bad faith, especially now that ODM is in the midst of finding its footing following the demise of our former Party Leader, the Rt Hon Raila Amollo Odinga,” ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi said.
Statement by DPL Sen. Godfrey Osotsi on the state of the party in Western pic.twitter.com/X5naINV8Kc
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) January 8, 2026
ODM condemned UDA’s initiatives as an intentional attempt to entice MPs, MCAs, and county officials into its programs, which it claimed were eroding the grassroots institutions it had created over two decades.
The party also alleged that UDA had organized a regional presidential caucus made up of ODM members, which it said violated both the Political Parties Act and the ODM constitution.
ODM-UDA Agreement
At the same time, ODM stressed that the two parties had reached no official or legally binding agreement at the national or grassroots levels.
The party further stated that the sole framework in existence is the 10-point reform program signed by President William Ruto and Raila Odinga last year.
This ushered in the 2024 Broad-Based Government proposal, which the party claims does not constitute a political pact.
“Incorporating our members into UDA programmes in this manner is a hostile attempt to unlawfully leverage ODM’s grassroots structures to ‘soften the ground’ for the eventual eviction of ‘undesirable’ ODM officials without provoking popular backlash,” Osotsi added.
The party accused the UDA of using threats of violence and expulsion to coerce senior ODM officials who spoke out against the overtures.
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ODM said the attempts by UDA to co-opt its members are taking place at a time when the party is still reorganising after the passing of its leader, a period when internal unity is critical.
The party called on its members to resist being drawn into UDA activities and to remain loyal to ODM’s constitution and grassroots structures.
Osotsi noted that many ODM officials in Vihiga and Kakamega who were approached have already denounced involvement in UDA programmes and reaffirmed their allegiance to the party.
ODM reiterated that it remains a distinct political party, independent of UDA, and that the 10-point reform package does not dictate how the two parties will handle the 2027 elections.
“UDA Doing Predatory Acts Against ODM!” – Senior Party Official Claims
