In a move that has surprised many, a section of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) members have abandoned their usual rivalry with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and are now throwing their weight behind an independent candidate.
This unusual alliance has sparked heated debates and left many residents and political leaders divided over the future of the constituency’s representation.
Homa Bay Town MP, Peter Kaluma, has publicly expressed concern over this shift, questioning the loyalty and commitment of UDA supporters who have chosen to back an independent aspirant.
Kaluma argues that such moves reveal a deeper crisis of confidence within political parties and point to a need for stronger internal democracy. The tension is largely fueled by ODM’s nomination process, which many locals feel was unfair and lacked transparency.
Reports suggest that ODM’s leadership is fronting Boyd Were, son of the late MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, as the preferred candidate, while overlooking other popular aspirants such as Newton Ogada.
This perceived favoritism has left many residents frustrated, claiming that their democratic right to choose their next leader is being undermined by decisions made in party headquarters in Nairobi.
Supporters of the independent candidate say their choice represents a stand for fairness and true representation. They believe the independent candidate listens more to the concerns of ordinary citizens and is committed to serving without party interference.
The upcoming by-election, triggered by the death of MP Ong’ondo Were in April 2025, has now become a battle for control of Kasipul’s political future.
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UDA’s decision to support a non-party candidate is seen by many as an attempt to break ODM’s long-standing dominance in the region.
Kaluma’s remarks serve as a warning to all political parties across the country: if nominations are not free, fair, and transparent, voters and even party members will seek alternatives.
The Kasipul race is shaping up to be more than just a by-election; it is becoming a test case for the strength of grassroots democracy in Kenya.Click here.
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