UDA party postpones elections

Homa Bay Sunday July 2 2023

KNA by Davis Langat

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has postponed the opening of its office in Homa Bay after the dates coincided with the Luo cultural festival.

The ruling party had planned a mega political rally in Homa Bay town this weekend after the official opening of its office by Secretary-General Cleophas Malala.

The postponement came after Homa Bay UDA youth leadership agreed with the national party to avoid it coinciding with the two-day Luo cultural festival in the town.

There were fears that the two events coinciding could have compromised security as the Luo cultural festival is considered an ODM party affair. Homa Bay is perceived as an ODM stronghold going by the voting patterns in the past general elections.

But UDA is gaining roots through membership registration which the county youth leadership has intensified since March. The recruitment drive is being spearheaded by youth leaders Kevin Ouma (Chairman), Wayne Odote (Secretary), Evans Oloo (Organizing Secretary) and Kennedy Ongati (Assistant Coordinator).

ODM leader Raila Odinga is presiding over the cultural festival christened Piny Luo, an event that brings together members of the Luo community from Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya and Migori counties.

Ouma said they consulted with the party leadership to cancel their function because their party believes in peace and the rule of law. He said the opening of the UDA office in Homa Bay will now be held on July 8.

“UDA believes in peaceful and transparent leadership. It is not that we are cowards but we don’t want to associate the party with chaos and taint its image,’’ Ouma said.   

Speaking during an election of party officials in the Homa Bay Town constituency, Ouma said their objective is to promote peace as UDA recruits its members in the county.

The Chairman directed the party members and supporters to refrain from attending ODM meetings to enhance peace in Homa Bay. “We know the way ODM undertakes its activities and that’s why UDA supporters should keep off their functions. We have pushed forth our function for peace to prevail,” Ouma said.

Oloo argued that the postponement was done to avert any violence which may result from the disagreement of supporters of the two rival political parties. “We must be proactive enough to prevent anything that can breach the peace. Let ODM leaders conduct their affairs peacefully so that we also conduct ours in the same manner,” Oloo said.

Odote urged residents to join UDA to promote the spirit of multi-party democracy political in Homa Bay County.

He said they are targeting to register 300,000 members in Homa Bay by the end of the year. “We have managed to register over 2000 members here today. I appeal to residents to register with us,” Odote said.

Ongati said membership registration is progressing well and they would not want to interrupt it due to avoidable chaos. He argued that they are focused on popularizing President William Ruto in Homa Bay and they want to do it in a peaceful environment.

“Homa Bay is soon hosting President Ruto to open various development projects and we don’t want chaos. Our eyes are glued on popularising UDA and Ruto,” Ongati said.

Shem Odoyo was elected the chairman of UDA youth league in Homa Bay Town constituency, Mark Ondigo (secretary) and Lancer Anyango (treasurer).

Francis Siro was elected the youth league Chairman in Arujo ward, Jack Mbata (Homa Town West), Musa Omondi (Homa Bay Town East) and Erick Omondi (Homa Bay Town Central).

Courtesy ; K. N. A