A push for a written agreement between ODM and President William Ruto's UDA has caused discomfort among UDA members in Homa Bay County. ODM leaders are demanding a formal pact before agreeing to a coalition to back Ruto's re-election bid. UDA officials, including Peterlis Ogendo, Rosemary Rumo, and Rose Otieno, have voiced their criticism, arguing that ODM's conditions are unhealthy for a UDA-ODM coalition.
UDA supporters feel that ODM is setting conditions for supporting the President, yet he backed its members unconditionally. President Ruto appointed ODM members, including CS for Finance John Mbadi and CS for Energy Opiyo Wandayi, to the government without any conditions. Ogendo urged the Luo community to shun ODM politicians who want to set conditions for the President, citing Ruto's implementation of mega development projects in the Nyanza region.
Rumo asked ODM leaders to appreciate the favour they have found with President Ruto, who won the presidency in 2022 without ODM's support. She urged ODM to continue collaborating with UDA and support President Ruto unconditionally, arguing that those giving conditions are spoilers. Otieno argued that ODM's contribution in terms of votes and seats is still uncertain and that they should work hard to marshal support for the President instead of making demands.
The criticism from UDA supporters in Homa Bay County comes ahead of the 2027 General Election, where President Ruto is expected to seek re-election. ODM's demands for a formal pact have raised questions about the future of the coalition between the two parties. The push for a written agreement has also sparked debate about the role of conditions in political coalitions.
ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga's home county, Homa Bay, is a key region in the coalition negotiations. UDA officials in the county have expressed concerns that ODM's conditions could derail the planned pre-election coalition. The debate over conditions has highlighted the challenges of forming coalitions in Kenyan politics.
President Ruto's UDA and ODM have been in talks to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election. The two parties have a history of collaboration, with ODM leaders holding positions in the government. However, the current demands for a formal pact have created tension between the parties.
The outcome of the coalition negotiations between UDA and ODM will have significant implications for the 2027 General Election. President Ruto's re-election bid and ODM's role in the coalition will be closely watched by Kenyans. The criticism from UDA supporters in Homa Bay County has added a new layer of complexity to the negotiations.
Key points
- UDA supporters in Homa Bay County criticize ODM's demands for a formal pre-election pact with President Ruto's UDA.
- ODM leaders are demanding a written pact before agreeing to a coalition to back Ruto's re-election bid.
- The criticism has raised questions about the future of the coalition between UDA and ODM ahead of the 2027 General Election.
