The Breaking Point in Kisumu
Speaking in Kisumu County on Friday after a meeting with a section of the local clergy, Dr. Oburu Oginga did not mince words. While maintaining that his personal relationship with the Head of State remains intact, he drew a hard line on the recent behavior of top UDA officials.
The Demand: “I’m in a good relationship with the President, but he should discipline and talk to some of these high officials of his party,” Oburu stated.
The Zoning Warning: Addressing the upcoming 2027 electoral framework, the Siaya Senator sent a clear message regarding ODM strongholds: “We don’t want to compete with people whom we are going into partnership with… They are the only ones we don’t want to interfere.”
Status of Negotiations: Dismissing rumors that ODM had officially “frozen” coalition talks, Oburu clarified that formal negotiations haven’t even commenced yet, nor have the negotiating teams been formed to put the brakes on them.
The Coastal Catalyst: UDA’s Onslaught
The immediate trigger for Oburu’s frustration stems from a recent, highly publicized political offensive by UDA leaders at the Coast—traditionally an ODM bedrock.
Targeting the Governor: UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar recently launched a blistering attack on Mombasa Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, boldly declaring, “Abdulswamad must go!” and stating UDA will not support his second-term bid.
The Joho Factor: Omar and other UDA honchos also took aim at Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho, who is reportedly angling for the Deputy President position, publicly dismissing his political viability.
Declaring the End of an Era: Adding fuel to the fire, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi proclaimed that the “ODM era at the Coast has passed,” deeply antagonizing the Orange party’s base.
ODM Strikes Back: “We Will Defend Our Own”The DA rhetoric has provoked a fierce counter-offensive from ODM’s top brass, signaling that the party will not be bullied into submission within the broad-based framework.Gladys Wanga’s Stance: The Homa Bay Governor and ODM Chairperson declared that the party is aware of top government operatives secretly financing rival candidates in Nyanza. “Before anything else, we will defend the party, we will defend our people, we will defend our areas,” Wanga affirmed.
