ODM warns members risk expulsion over involvement in UDA grassroots polls
By Enock Amukhale, January 9, 2026The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has sounded a tough warning to its members against taking part in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots elections, saying such actions amount to a breach of party discipline and the law.
In a statement made on a phone interview on Thursday, January 8, 2026, with People Daily, ODM deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi said the party would not allow UDA to lure ODM members into facilitating or participating in its grassroots polls.
Osotsi noted with concern that some ODM members were being approached to facilitate and take part in UDA grassroots elections, a move he said violates both the Political Parties Act and the ODM constitution.
“I have noted with concern that some of the ODM members are being approached to facilitate and participate in UDA grassroots elections. Like in Vihiga, one MCA elected on the ODM ticket is being used by UDA to organise grassroots elections. Such moves by UDA violate the Political Parties Act and the ODM constitution,” Osotsi said.
Osotsi said ODM members who will violate the party constitution will be forced to resign and officially join UDA, where they can serve the way they want.
Osotsi further pointed to developments in Vihiga County, where he claimed an ODM-elected Member of the County Assembly was being used by UDA to organise grassroots elections, contrary to party rules.
He also called out UDA for forming a regional presidential caucus involving ODM members, saying such actions further breach the Political Parties Act and undermine party discipline.
Osotsi’s remarks come just days after ODM officials in Vihiga County asked their Members of the County Assembly to begin impeachment proceedings against County Assembly Speaker Chris Omulele and take disciplinary action against MCAs accused of working closely with UDA.
Addressing the media in Vihiga, ODM county officials, led by branch chairman Zebedee Osabwa, issued a direct warning to the affected leaders.
“We are calling upon our ODM MCAs in the county assembly of Vihiga to initiate a motion of impeachment against the Speaker of Vihiga County Assembly, Chris Omulel,e for working closely with UDA. We are also soundinga warning to Banja MCA Collins Ayungu and other MCAs for being used in the organising of UDA grassroots elections,” warned Osabwa.
Speaker Omulele, a former Luanda MP, has publicly declared his intention to work closely with President William Ruto, saying he wants to collaborate with like-minded leaders to attract development to Vihiga County.
Omulele, who served two terms as Luanda MP on an ODM ticket, remains an influential political figure in the region. Attention is now focused on ODM MCAs in Vihiga to see whether they will follow party directives and move to impeach the Speaker.
ODM currently holds the majority in the Vihiga County Assembly, while UDA, formerly ANC, remains the minority party.