•Representing the group, Chairman Obuya criticized the governor's actions in restricting UDA officials from participating in political events in Siaya County.
•During a public event in Seme Constituency, Kisumu County, on Saturday, Governor James Orengo faced accusations of making controversial remarks about leaders who sympathize with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Image: Handout
Furious UDA officials in Nyanza have strongly criticized Siaya Governor James Orengo, accusing him of resorting to violence to salvage the ODM party from losing ground to the ruling party in the region.
The UDA Nyanza team, spearheaded by Homa Bay County Chairman Kennedy Obuya, contends that the governor is reverting to outdated tactics in an attempt to salvage a waning political entity.
Representing the group, Chairman Obuya criticized the governor's actions in restricting UDA officials from participating in political events in Siaya County.
"The governor has made it clear that no UDA Party official will be allowed to speak at events he is attending or overseeing," Obuya stated.
He also alleged that the governor has tasked an unnamed Member of Parliament with implementing a strategy of violence aimed at UDA Party officials and newcomers in Luo Nyanza.
During a public event in Seme Constituency, Kisumu County, on Saturday, Governor James Orengo faced accusations of making controversial remarks about leaders who sympathize with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
He expressed strong disapproval of three MPs from the region aligned with UDA, labeling them as a disappointment and a source of shame for the community.
Governor Orengo specifically pointed out, "In Kenya, we have seen people, particularly in Siaya, who are shaming us... they're shaming Baba. We have three MPs here who are working with UDA."
He further emphasized his stance with a bold declaration, stating, "What I have made clear, without fear, and you know I am good on matters that require brain work and even those that need force. I announced in Gem constituency that in my presence, no UDA sympathizer will speak. If I spot you, you will be dealt with."
These remarks have sparked discussions and reactions across various political and social circles.
According to Obuya, the Governor and his party's leadership in Nyanza seem intent on making provocative statements that verge on hate speech and ethnic incitement, possibly in the hopes of provoking government action against them.
" They then hope to use the arrests to ferment anti-government/anti-UDA mobilization in Luo Nyanza," he said.
He further claimed that the opposition leaders will then use the arrests to attack senior government officials from the region.
The UDA officials noted that the ruling Party is making inroads in Luo Nyanza using constitutionally sanctioned processes and practices.
" The UDA Party is holding massive grassroots sensitization and recruitment of new members peacefully and without solicitation or coercion," he pointed out.
Moreover, the UDA Chairman urged the government to dismiss the governor's statements while cautioning him that his reckless and inflammatory remarks verge on hate speech and ethnic incitement.
He emphasized that both the governor and the second-term Member of Parliament should recognize their personal accountability for any injuries, fatalities, or damage to private property resulting from their careless statements.
"They must understand that the legal consequences will be pursued against them to their logical conclusion," Obuya stated.
He affirmed that the UDA will persist in recruiting new members and mobilizing voters in the region to align with the ruling party.
"Given the substantial allocation of funds to Luo Nyanza counties, the UDA Party urges leaders to prioritize delivering services to the people of Luo Nyanza," he added.
Obuya appealed to the people of Luo Nyanza to not be used to fight costly political wars for such fights only benefits political leaders at the expense of the suffering masses.
According to the officials , the UDA Party is not afraid to engage any Party in a political contest but such a contest has to be based on ideas, has to be within the confines of the law, and must not include threats of violence, intimidation and the use of negative ethnicity.
" Let it be known that their bravado and belief that they monopolise violence is no more than a pre-term delivery, a delusional mirage," he added.