Showdown Looms as Raila, Malala Set to Hold Parallel Meetings in Homa Bay

Homa Bay County will on June 30, witness two separate political meetings of UDA and ODM party bigwigs.

ODM leader Raila Odinga will inaugurate projects financed by the Homa Bay government, while UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala will be opening party offices. The two factions are competing to dominate the political landscape in the county. The opening of the UDA office in Homa Bay will be the conclusion of the activities the ruling party has been executing to gain recognition in the region. 

The ruling party plans to register more than 300,000 members in Homa Bay ahead of the 2027 general election. Ahead of the 2022 general election, Homa Bay had over 510,000 registered voters. Evans Kidero, a prominent figure in the UDA and former Nairobi Governor, said they are persistent in convincing the locals to register with the party. In the past four elections, Homa Bay has been a stronghold of ODM with the majority of the residents voting for Raila as their preferred president. Kidero, however, said they plan to change things.

“We would want to register as many people as possible in UDA so that we join the government. Homa Bay must set the pace and in 2027 it must fully have its share in President William Ruto’s government,’’ Kidero said during the launch of the party membership registration. 

The county UDA coordinator John Odek, said they have secured land to construct a party office, ahead of its opening by Malala next week. Odek called for peace to prevail in Homa Bay while they carry out their activities in the county. UDA had set up offices in Siaya and Kisumu, however, the structures were destroyed during anti-government protests. 

On Wednesday, it was established that the former Prime Minister will be in charge of the inauguration of a recreational park, a new office for Governor Gladys Wanga, and the county stadium. Wanga has been using a workspace previously occupied by her predecessor Cyprian Awiti.