Change tack in 2027 polls, Kidero tells Nyanza amid UDA membership drive

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) intends to register at least 350,000 members in Homa Bay County ahead of the 2027 general election.

This is as leaders urged residents to change tack in the 2027 elections.

The party leaders and some interim officials argued that the numbers will enable them to face off with ODM which has dominated the county and Nyanza region at large.

On Thursday, the party led by former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, chairman for Fish Marketing Authority Martin Ogindo and his counterpart at Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA) Odoyo Owidi held a recruitment drive in Ndhiwa constituency.

Kidero said they registered more than 700 people. He said the registration is among a series of exercises and activities they are undertaking in Nyanza to make the party vibrant.

The former governor asked members of the Luo community which has for long supported ODM leader Raila Odinga to change tact and approach the 2027 politics differently.

Ahead of the 2022 general election, IEBC records indicated that Homa Bay had more than 551,000 registered voters.

“Most members of the Luo community have supported Raila and ODM but they have never gotten the presidency. It is high time we changed the strategy and support President William Ruto to enable us to get where we want,” Kidero said.

Speaking when they took membership recruitment drive to Ndhiwa constituency, Kidero claimed that wrong politics has led to poor service delivery in Luo Nyanza counties.

Acting Homa Bay UDA chairman Kennedy Obuya, former Kibiri MCA Kennedy Ondiek and board member at Lake Basin Development Agency (LBDA) Dave Kalo were present.

He reiterated his calls to have members of the community join the government by registering with UDA. 

“Let’s wake up and join UDA to enable us to develop as other Kenyans. In UDA, you will have an opportunity to elect leaders of your choice, not imposed ones,” he said.

Ogindo said they are strengthening UDA by mobilizing residents to join the party to enable them to transform Nyanza economically.

According to Ogindo, the region has been lagging in development because of failing to work with the government.

He said they are going to ensure equitable distribution of UDA positions in Homa Bay County.  

“We have played opposition politics for long and without concrete development. Homa Bay UDA will ensure regional balance when giving county leadership positions,” Ogindo said.

Owidi accused some politicians from other parties of intimidating UDA members against expressing their freedom by supporting the political parties of their choice.

He said everyone should be given equal opportunity to speak, adding that the country has a democracy where everyone can say what he or she feels.

 “We must all have fair political competition. Our people have been blocked so that some leaders can maintain their seats," Owidi said.

Obuya, Ondiek and Kalo urged residents to work closely with the government to realize economic development.

“We must avoid old politics which mostly thwart democracy in Nyanza. Let’s shed off habits that are against development,” Obuya said.