- The ruling party planned to register more than 300,000 members in Homa Bay ahead of the 2027 general election.
- The majority of residents have previously voted for Raila as their preferred presidential candidate. But Kidero said they intend to turn the tables.
Image: ROBERT OMOLLO
Homa Bay County will on June 30, play host to parallel political meetings by UDA and ODM party bigwigs.
ODM leader Raila Odinga will be opening projects funded by the Homa Bay government while UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala will be opening party offices.
The two parties are fighting to control politics in the county.
Opening of the UDA office in Homa Bay town will be a culmination of activities that the party has been undertaking to popularise itself in the region.
The ruling party planned to register more than 300,000 members in Homa Bay ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ahead of the 2022 general election, Homa Bay had more than 510, 000 registered voters.
Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero who is one of the UDA luminaries in Homa Bay said they aim to mobilise residents to join the government by registering with the party.
In the four previous general elections, Homa Bay has remained the political bedrock of ODM.
The majority of residents have previously voted for Raila as their preferred presidential candidate. But Kidero said they intend to turn the tables.
“We would want to register as many people as possible in UDA so that we join the government. Homa Bay must set the pace and in 2027 it must fully have its share in President William Ruto’s government,’’ Kidero said during the launch of the party membership registration.
The county UDA coordinator John Odek said they acquired land and set up the party office and confirmed that Malala will officially open the office next week.
Odek called for peace and calmness as they undertake their activities in Homa Bay.
UDA had opened its county offices in Siaya and Kisumu. But they were razed during the anti-government demos.
"We’re happy UDA has gained ground in Homa Bay. Multiparty democracy must be allowed to take its cause without violence place,” Odek said.
On Wednesday, it was established that Raila will oversee the opening of a recreational park, a new office for Governor Gladys Wanga and the county stadium.
Wanga has been using an office that was previously occupied by her predecessor Cyprian Awiti.
The building was previously used by the defunct local authorities before Awiti converted it to an office.
The Sh369 million stadium will be officially opened by Raila and it will be given a new name.
"We will open the stadium on June 30 and name it Raila Odinga Homa Bay Stadium," she said.
"If he says right, it's right. If he says left, it's left. Whoever says Raila should retire does not know the struggles he has been through for us to be where we are."
Raila is also expected to witness and unveil the successor of Opiyo Otondi who was chairman of the Luo council of elders. Otondi died in February.
Political pundit Patrick Agwagra said UDA and ODM are competing for popularity in Homa Bay.
He said UDA started looking for space in Homa Bay after Ruto defeated Raila in the 2022 presidential election.
Agwagra agreed that the coming of Raila to Homa Bay is about politics than development as they would want to neutralise the gains by UDA.
“It’s true that UDA has sympathizers and if not checked it will slice ODM support in 2027 polls. But ODM is still dominant in Homa Bay,” Agwagra said.