Nominated Senator Veronica Maina has challenged ODM’s accusations that UDA is invading their Nyanza stronghold while highlighting ODM’s own access to State House power structures.

Speaking during an interview with a local media house on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Senator highlighted critical components in the government that have been filed by the Orange Democratic Party.

While ODM has been vocal on UDA’s invasion of Nyanza, the legislator has outlined core stronghold positions taken up by the Orange Democratic Movement party in the Kenya Kwanza administration through the Broad-Based agreement.

“If you look at the Cabinet Secretaries who are from ODM within the government, running critical dockets, running energy, running treasury, running blue economy and mining, then you ask yourself, is ODM not already enjoying part of those trappings of power?,” Maina stated.

She further slammed the party for complaining about UDA fielding a candidate for an MCA position in the region,

“While they are now maybe accusing UDA of invading Nyanza region, imagine ODM is in state house, it is actually in the bedroom of state house and has taken a critical component for CS’s, many PS’s, so people have such selective amnesia that they have already forgotten that we have already taken this and now we are complaining about UDA coming to say we are putting a candidate for MCA position,” Maina added.

ODM, UDA Nyanza battle

Senator Maina’s remarks come days after Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga issued a defiant message regarding the political landscape in Nyanza, asserting that protecting the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party is her absolute priority above all other political considerations.

Speaking to his supporters during a public gathering in Homabay on Monday, April 13, 2026, addressing supporters, Wanga emphasised that the survival and strength of the party are paramount.

“We will defend our party. We will protect our party, and defending our party comes number one before anything else. That our parliamentary strength is not reduced even by an inch,” Wanga said.

The Governor’s remarks appeared to be a direct response to recent moves by President William Ruto and the UDA to establish a foothold in traditional ODM strongholds through zoning.

At the time, Wanga insisted that the party must maintain its dominance, declaring that they would ensure the party is strong before focusing on other things within their political strategies. She noted that respect for the party must come first, and other issues can only be addressed afterwards.

Wanga argued that political relevance and progress are impossible without a unified party structure.

“We must first have respect for our party hiyo vitu vingine itafuata baadaye so kwa sababu bila chama na bila kura na bila wananchi hakuna mahali tunaweza tembea tukienda,” Wanga said.