Ex-Raila's aide Jakakimba elected Homa Bay UDA secretary

ODM leader Raila Odinga's former aide Silas Jakakimba has been elected United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Homa Bay secretary.

Jakakimba was declared the winner after getting 101 votes out of possible 147 votes cast in an election on Monday.

There were 159 delegates (voters) who participated in the voting exercise at the county UDA party headquarters in Homa Bay town.

Jakakimba ditched the ODM party to UDA in 2023 after William Ruto won the presidency in the 2022 general election.

On Monday, the former aide expressed hopes that UDA will outshine the ODM party in membership registration in Homa Bay.

Homa Bay is one of the ODM strongholds as residents have been voting for the party candidates since 2007.

Jakakimba said UDA had put all structures in place to ensure it gains the desired popularity in the county.

“UDA has already elected its officials at the polling station, ward, and all the eight constituencies in Homa Bay. We’re going to use the structures to outwit ODM both in membership and political seats in the 2027 general election,” Jakakimba said.

He said the stiff competition he faced in the secretary seat showed him that UDA had become strong in the county.

“People showed interest in the UDA seats and that indicated that the party’s strength was stronger day by day.  I will be in the office to serve not only party members but also other residents of Homa Bay,” he said.

UDA member of the National Elections Board who presided over the election Halake Diida said they had a total of 44 candidates who were vying for various positions in the election.

Diida said the election was conducted peacefully and every delegate got an opportunity to cast their vote. He said there were no technical hitches experienced during the election.

“The election was done in a peaceful environment. This gave every candidate an opportunity for the delegates to cast their votes,” Diida said.

Former Imara Daima MCA Kennedy Obuya was elected the county chairman.

Former Kibiri MCA Kennedy Ondiek pulled out of the race paving the way for a smooth win by Obuya.

Obuya will be deputized by Rosemary Rumo who once vied for the Homa Bay woman representative seat on a Jubilee ticket.

Aggrey Otore sailed through as the county professional group representative while John Odek will represent the people with disabilities.

Kennedy Ongati who is a close confidant of the Interior PS Raymond Omollo clinched the organizing secretary’s seat while Catherine Oyaro was declared the women's representative seat winner.

Others who emerged winners in the highly dominated ODM zone are Seraphine Omollo (treasurer).

Maureen Adhiambo (representative of the MSMEs) and Betty Kisiara will be representing religious groups.

Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, former Homa Bay MP Martin Ogindo, IT guru Mark Matunga, Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Authority (LVSWWDA) chairman Odoyo Owidi, Jacqueline Omiti, Millicent Akoth and Margret Ochanda were elected as the county delegates.