In a statement released on Thursday, January 8, 2026, ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi alleged that UDA has been actively targeting ODM legislators and officials in Vihiga and Kakamega counties, drawing them into UDA-led political and campaign strategy meetings.
Osotsi claimed that the alleged infiltration forms part of a broader plan to weaken ODM’s long-standing grassroots presence in the region, which has traditionally been one of the party’s strongholds.
Alleged meetings and co-option
According to the statement, several ODM-elected leaders recently attended meetings convened by senior UDA officials, including a gathering held on January 6 at a hotel in Kakamega town.
“Over the past few days, a section of ODM legislators and officials in Vihiga and Kakamega counties have been incorporated into UDA electoral and campaign strategy meetings,” Osotsi said.
He alleged that ODM members are being encouraged to participate in UDA grassroots elections under what the party described as misleading claims that the two parties are operating under a formal political cooperation agreement.
Osotsi further accused UDA of attempting to co-opt ODM officials into regional political formations, including a so-called presidential caucus, moves he said violate both the Political Parties Act and ODM’s internal constitution.
‘No cooperation pact’
The ODM deputy leader stressed that there is no formal or legally binding cooperation agreement between ODM and UDA, either nationally or at the grassroots level.
He clarified that the only engagement between the two sides remains the 10-point reform agenda agreed upon in the aftermath of the 2024 Gen Z-led protests, which paved the way for the formation of the broad-based government.
“The reform agenda, like the broad-based government itself, is transitional and is expected to lapse in 2027. It does not amount to a political merger or cooperation pact between ODM and UDA,” Osotsi said.
He accused UDA of acting in bad faith by exploiting the reform framework to gain access to ODM’s grassroots machinery, which he said has been built over more than two decades.
‘Hostile and predatory tactics’
Osotsi described UDA’s alleged actions as hostile and predatory, arguing that they are designed to “soften the ground” in Western Kenya ahead of future elections while marginalising ODM officials perceived as politically inconvenient.
He added that similar attempts to lure ODM Members of Parliament, Members of County Assembly, and local party officials into UDA activities have been reported in other parts of the region.
The ODM leadership warned that such manoeuvres risk undermining political integrity and violating established party loyalty and discipline.
Call for loyalty and restraint
Reaffirming ODM’s independence, Osotsi urged party members to resist what he termed illegal and deceptive political engagements.
He revealed that several grassroots officials in Vihiga and Kakamega counties have already withdrawn from UDA-linked activities and recommitted themselves to ODM.
“ODM remains a distinct political party and not an appendage of UDA,” he said, calling on members to remain vigilant and loyal as the party navigates internal reorganisation following the death of its longtime leader, Raila Odinga.
The accusations come amid heightened internal discussions within ODM over party unity, leadership stability, and strategic direction as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 polls.
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