In a sharp departure from her previous supportive tone, she accused President Ruto’s party of "political dishonesty" and violating the terms of the Broad-Based Agreement.
Wanga’s sudden shift centers on allegations that UDA is actively recruiting and planning to field candidates in Nyanza and other ODM strongholds, a move she claims is explicitly barred by their written Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed has joined Wanga in this strategic retreat, signaling a major realignment within the party's top brass.
Junet has expressed concern that high-ranking government officials, including Interior PS Raymond Omollo and Eliud Owalo, are using state development projects to establish a UDA presence in Nyanza ahead of the 2027 polls.
He warned that ODM would not sit back while its "political spaces" are invaded, effectively putting the presidency on notice that its cooperation is conditional, not absolute.
This new stance has created a glaring rift with ODM leaders currently serving in Ruto’s Cabinet, most notably Treasury CS John Mbadi.
While Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi have been championing the "Tutam" (we will support) narrative, Wanga and Junet have moved to "crash" this messaging.
By asserting the party’s independence, the Wanga-Junet duo is attempting to reassure the ODM grassroots—and critics like James Orengo—that the party has not been "swallowed" by the state.
Wanga has pointedly reminded the public and the UDA that their engagement is governed by a written agreement signed at the KICC.
This document reportedly contains a 10-point agenda focused on stability and economic growth but includes a "non-encroachment" clause.
By making this document a public talking point, Wanga is positioning ODM to legitimately exit the partnership if Ruto continues to allow his allies to "hunt" for votes in the Lake region.
The sudden change in tone suggests that ODM’s leadership is feeling the heat of the 2027 General Election. With the "Tawe" movement and other regional forces rising, Wanga and Junet realize that total sycophancy to the Ruto regime could lead to their own political extinction.
This pivot is a desperate attempt to reclaim the "opposition identity" while still holding onto the benefits of the government alliance.
The question remains: can they maintain this "one foot in, one foot out" strategy, or will the internal pressure force a total collapse of the broad-based government?
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