The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has accused the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of orchestrating a coordinated effort to penetrate its grassroots party structures in Western Kenya.In a statement released on Wednesday, ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi claimed that several ODM-elected legislators and party officials from Vihiga and Kakamega counties have recently been drawn into meetings organised by UDA leaders.
Claims of Participation in UDA Meetings
Osotsi pointed to a meeting held on Tuesday at a hotel in Kakamega, where legislators elected on the ODM ticket allegedly took part in a session convened by senior UDA officials.
Our members are being approached and encouraged to participate in the upcoming UDA grassroots elections under the misleading claim that ODM and UDA have entered into a political cooperation agreement
Godfrey OsotsiHe further alleged that UDA operatives have gone as far as establishing a regional presidential caucus composed of ODM members, a move he said contravenes both the Political Parties Act and the ODM constitution.
‘Bad Faith’ Accusations
The ODM deputy party leader described the alleged actions as regrettable and conducted in bad faith, particularly coming shortly after the death of the party’s founding leader, Raila Odinga. According to Osotsi, the situation amounts to what he termed a hostile takeover, warning that it forms part of a broader plan involving intimidation, threats of violence, and attempts to expel senior ODM officials who have raised objections.
No Formal Coalition Agreement
Osotsi insisted that there is no legally binding agreement between ODM and UDA either at the national or grassroots level, to justify what he termed UDA’s political overreach. He noted that what exists is the
What exists is only the 10-point reform agenda agreed upon following the mid-2024 Gen Z protests, accusing UDA of attempting to unlawfully take advantage of ODM’s organisational structures built over more than two decades.
ODM Remains Independent
He reaffirmed that ODM remains an independent political party and not an extension of the ruling party.
Call to Party Members
Osotsi urged ODM members and officials to resist the alleged infiltration, warning that participation in such activities could amount to illegal conduct under party and national laws.
