Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has said the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has been significantly weakened in the Mount Kenya region following the formation and rise of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In an interview on January 15, 2026, Maanzo argued that UDA now depends on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to maintain its political relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Maanzo noted that UDA has lost substantial support in the Mount Kenya region, where Gachagua, following his impeachment in October 2024 and subsequent resignation from UDA, launched DCP in May 2025 and has built a strong base.

He suggested this shift has diminished UDA’s standing in key areas. He said the ruling party now relies on ODM to strengthen its position, highlighting ongoing structured negotiations between the two parties, which both have formally endorsed in recent days, including UDA’s National Executive Committee mandating talks and ODM’s Central Management Committee initiating discussions.

“UDA is finished. … Other than if UDA were to survive. It is UDA which needs ODM. Not ODM, UDA,” he said.

ODM’s strength and regional influence

Maanzo described ODM as Kenya’s largest and strongest political party, with deep grassroots support across the country, including Northern and Northeastern Kenya.

He cited visits to Marsabit and Isiolo, where residents expressed loyalty to ODM ideals and recalled leaders who were initially elected on the ODM ticket. He urged the party to listen to its supporters, including young people seeking change, rather than relying on voices he considered unrepresentative.

He also highlighted past collaboration between ODM and partners such as Wiper, noting that consultations occurred even before the late Raila Odinga’s passing.

Maanzo argued that opposition forces, including DCP, now recognise ODM’s strength and the numbers needed to drive any presidential bid, urging the party to negotiate from a position of power and avoid rushed decisions that could compromise its legacy.

“ODM, which is a very big political party – it’s the biggest political party in Kenya – was going to decide where to go, and ODM being a very strong political party, we have heard Oburu say that now that under their constitution, he’s a party leader, he’s the automatic presidential candidate,” he said.

Coalition talks

Maanzo’s comments come amid UDA’s National Executive Committee meeting chaired by President William Ruto on January 14, 2026, which mandated structured engagement with ODM to negotiate a coalition agreement.

The move follows ODM’s Central Management Committee decision to initiate talks led by Oburu Odinga and endorsements from Western Kenya governors who view the alliance as key for regional development and stability.

He pointed to progress on initiatives such as the 10-point agenda, NADCO report implementation, broad-based government appointments, and mutual candidate support in by-elections as evidence of growing cooperation.

Maanzo stressed that ODM must safeguard its core principles and grassroots voice to avoid dilution in any expanded arrangement while positioning itself strategically in pre-2027 political realignments.