A warning from Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has exposed growing unease within the United Democratic Alliance, after he told off fellow party members over remarks touching on the internal affairs of the Orange Democratic Movement.
Addressing a youth and women empowerment event in Salgaa, Nakuru County on April 17, Sudi said it was wrong for UDA leaders to keep making public statements about ODM, noting that both parties are working together under a broader political understanding. He stressed that those not fully aware of how the arrangement came about should avoid making loud pronouncements.
“Today, UDA, ODM, and many others are part of a broad-based arrangement. As one of the founders of UDA, I want to say that we, as UDA, together with ODM and this broad-based formation, know where we have come from and where we are going. I want to tell my colleagues in UDA who are speaking too much: leave ODM alone to organise their own house. I also want to tell those in UDA that I won’t mention names to stop being overzealous and talking too much. You are speaking excessively,” Sudi said.
He insisted that any disagreements within the working relationship should be handled through direct engagement between leaders, instead of being played out in public forums.
“As UDA and ODM, if we have an issue, we will sit down and resolve it. The leaders will meet and agree. You should stop interfering in ODM’s affairs, leave that alone,” he said.
His remarks followed a strong response from ODM, which accused a section of UDA officials of making statements that have unsettled its members. The concerns were raised during a press briefing in Nairobi on April 16 led by party leader Oburu Odinga.
Speaking on behalf of the Central Committee, Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo said the comments from some leaders were unnecessary and had created anxiety within the party ranks.
“The Central Committee noted with concern the goings on and the unwarranted public utterances by some senior officials of the party aimed at causing anxiety and disquiet among our members.
“As a party that believes in its principles, ideology, and the foundation on which it was founded, we demand respect from the UDA party,” Omanyo said.
At the heart of the standoff is the debate over zoning ahead of the 2027 General Election. The plan under discussion would see ODM avoid contesting in areas considered strongholds of UDA, with UDA expected to do the same in ODM-dominated regions.
Within ODM, leaders have taken different positions on the proposal. Chair Gladys Wanga and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed have supported the idea of protecting seats currently held by the party. However, Suba South MP Millie Odhiambo has opposed zoning, arguing that it denies voters a fair chance to choose their leaders, a position echoed by Lang’ata MP Phelix Jalang'o Odiwuor.
At the same time, Oburu maintained that zoning remains part of ongoing talks between ODM and UDA, saying the party is keen to hold on to areas where it has strong support.
"Zoning is just one of the tools for achieving what we want. For instance, in Luo Nynaza, Nairobi, Kakamega, Kilifi, and Busia, the majority of MPs, MCAs, and Governors are members of ODM, and we are not ready to cede those positions.
"We will compete fiercely with other parties. What we are simply saying is that we do not want to compete with the people we are going into partnership with," he reiterated.
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