UDA leaders within Kisumu county have resolved to strengthen the party to rival the dominant ODM party.
Led by former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma who is the chairman of Sacco Society Regulatory Authorities, the leaders held a series of meetings in the lakeside city to forge a way forward.
Ranguma said the county must at least register 250,000 new members into the UDA party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He said ODM was just dominant within the county because there is no other party to give the people an alternative, adding that UDA party was here with them and all should board.
Ranguma said since the introduction of multiparty in the country, Kenya has made great strides in the widening of democratic space.
He further noted that President William Ruto has been accommodative to Nyanza people, despite scoring less votes thus the need to embrace the ruling party by registering into it.
"The people of Kisumu and by extension Nyanza, must be ready to vote for President Ruto in his re-election in 2027."
Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs CAS Fred Outa who attended the meetings told the interim party officials to shelve their ambitions and work for the party.
Outa said they have a big task ahead of them.
"So I request that all of us drop ambitions and focus our energies in strengthening this party at the grassroots level,” he said.
Outa said a majority in the region would wish to join the party but lack the requisite information, of which he asked the party officials to take the lead and pull members to the party.
He said squabbles among the interim officials must now slow down as they plan a series of engagements from the ward, subcounty and county level.
The President, Outa said, has given them work to do and promised to engage everyone.
"My appeal is that, let us shun divisive politics and embrace development,” he said.
Former Kisumu County Assembly Majority Leader Samuel Ongou said they must start early to popularise the party so as to position themselves for elective positions in 2027.
Ongou said the UDA party must get positions at the ward level and at least grab two to three parliamentary seats in Kisumu county.
During the engagement, a coordinating team was formed to drive the agenda of the UDA party and monitor the progress of recruiting new members.
-Edited by SKanyara
