ODM Cries Foul Over Alleged UDA ‘Hostile Takeover’ of Party Grassroots in Western Kenya
January 8, 2026
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has accused the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of orchestrating a “hostile takeover” of its grassroots networks in Western Kenya, warning that the move threatens the integrity of Kenya’s multiparty democracy.
In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday, ODM Deputy Party Leader Hon. Godfrey Osotsi, CBS, alleged that UDA has been covertly co-opting ODM legislators, county officials and grassroots leaders in Vihiga and Kakamega counties under what he termed false pretenses.
Osotsi revealed that several ODM elected leaders recently attended UDA strategy and campaign meetings, including a highlevel party held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Golf Hotel in Kakamega, convened by senior UDA officials.
“Our members are being approached to facilitate and participate in upcoming UDA grassroots elections under the false pretext that ODM and UDA are in a political cooperation agreement,” Osotsi said.
According to the ODM deputy leader, UDA has gone further to establish a regional presidential caucus composed of ODM members, a move he says violates both the Political Parties Act and the ODM constitution.
He described the actions as predatory, calculated and in bad faith, coming at a time when ODM is still reorganising following the demise of its longserving party leader, Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga.
“This conduct amounts to a hostile takeover of ODM and is part of a grand scheme that includes sustained threats of violence and expulsion directed at senior ODM officials who have dared to speak out,” Osotsi warned.
The ODM leadership further dismissed claims of any formal cooperation agreement between the two parties, clarifying that the only existing framework is the 10-point reform agenda signed in the aftermath of the mid-2024 Gen Z-led protests, which gave rise to the Broad Based Government.
Osotsi emphasized that the reform agenda is temporary, expires in 2027, and does not constitute a coalition or electoral pact between ODM and UDA at either national or grassroots level.
“ODM remains a distinct political party. It is not an appendage of UDA, and the broad-based arrangement does not define how the two parties will approach the 2027 elections,” he said.
The ODM deputy leader accused UDA of attempting to illegally leverage ODM’s grassroots structures built over more than two decades to soften the ground for the removal of what he termed “undesirable” ODM officials without triggering public backlash.
He called on ODM members across the country to resist being hoodwinked into illegal political maneuvers, noting that many grassroots officials in Vihiga and Kakamega have already denounced their involvement in UDA activities and reaffirmed their loyalty to ODM.
“Forces from within and without the party are determined to escalate divisions, but ODM will resolve its challenges internally and without undue external interference,” Osotsi concluded.
