Inside UDA’s gameplan to capture Homa Bay county
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has intensified its charm offensive of Homa Bay as it seeks to marshal support for President William Ruto.
Party Secretary General Cleophas Malala on Wednesday met key politicians from the county who recently switched their political base from ODM to the ruling party.
Mr Malala met Trade and Investment Chief Administrative Secretary Evans Kidero, Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency Chairman Odoyo Owidi and Fish Marketing Authority Chairman Martin Ogindo in what insiders say is a bid to strategise on how to win the hearts of voters in Homa Bay county.
In social media posts, all three leaders shared their meetings with their followers.
Dr Kidero said “This morning, I held fruitful discussions with UDA Secretary General Hon Cleophas Malala to discuss the party grass root invigoration. Also present was Hon Odoyo Owidi and Hon Martin Ogindo.”
The same message was shared by Mr Owidi.
He hinted about plans by the team to start making Homa Bay a UDA stronghold with an indication that they are being instructed by President Ruto
“After the strategy meeting, a group photo was necessary. Homa Bay is turning yellow,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
He added “Nyakwar Jadolo Ruoth Oting’nai Malo(Mr Owidi) Okebe (Dr Kidero) nika gi wuod nyaDago (Mr Ogindo). The secretary general delivered the president’s message,”
Dr Kidero who was the first governor of Nairobi was once a member of ODM and contested for the governor seat in Homa Bay ahead of the August 9,2022 election.
Mr Owidi who was also a member of ODM contested for Kasipul parliamentary seat.
Both lost the party ticket to their competitors with Dr Kidero losing to Governor Gladys Wanga and Mr Owidi to Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were..
Dr Kidero later vied as an independent candidate but Mr Owidi dropped his political bid to campaign for Azimio leader Raila odinga.
Mr Odingo on the other hand vied for Homa Bay town parliamentary seat on a Green Congress of Kenya (GCK) ticket where he was the party leader.
He lost to Peter Kaluma of ODM.
The losses made them political enemies of ODM with a section of politicians who lost claiming they were rigged.
UDA used the opportunity to poach them with President Ruto rewarding the same people with job opportunities.
One after another, they were listed for different appointive positions.
The jobs they got enhanced their power to spread the gospel of UDA in Homa Bay.
County UDA coordinator John Odek told Nairobi News the meeting was meant to discuss strategies on how to strengthen the party in Homa Bay.
He said party officials will meet this weekend to discuss how to start a recruitment drive.
“Besides recruitment, we intend to open offices. We’ll first open a county office and later open constituency offices,” Mr Odek said.
He said the recruitment drive will be done by a team of officials who will be moving from one location to another to convince voters to join the party.
Also read: Kenyans top graduates list at TikTok’s Africa Creator Hub