Kileleshawa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has cautioned the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politicians seeking to blackmail President William Ruto over his 2027 re-election bid.

Touching on the recently conducted Kasipul Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) by-elections, Alai has claimed it is ill-advised for ODM leaders to try to arm-twist President Ruto over his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party’s influence over ODM in the region.

He has further urged the ODM politicians to stop denying UDA members the right to associate with anyone politically. In the concluded Kasipul by-election, Boyd Were of ODM emerged victorious over independent candidate Philip Aroko.

Boyd received support from the UDA party in his MP ambitions. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, speaking during an empowerment drive in Kasipul, Homa Bay County, on Friday, October 31, 2025, stated that Were’s endorsement was in the spirit of the broad-based arrangement signed by President William Ruto and the late ODM leader, Raila Odinga.

UDA backs ODM candidate

“We decided that as the UDA, we will support the ODM’s candidate in Kasipul. ODM’s candidate here is Kasipul, who is our candidate too, and he is this young man, Boyd Were. He is the candidate of the broad-based government. Let no one come here and lie to you that they are in the broad-based,” he stated.

However, Robert Alai has cautioned that such actions by UDA should not be taken advantage of by the ODM leaders. His sentiments come as a section of the party has openly said that the ODM-UDA pact will run beyond 2027.

Blackmailing Ruto in Kasipul

”Currently, there is NO DEAL between UDA and ODM for 2027. It is incredibly baffling when ODM leaders blackmail President Ruto over UDA members campaigning against ODM’s allies in Kasipul,” Alai took to X on Monday, December 1, 2025.

”If you want a deal, organise the ODM party and guarantee your support for Ruto in 2027. You cannot restrict UDA members’ right to associate with anyone politically while failing to secure their support for 2027. How do you give UDA such demands when you are not even in control of your own SECRETARY GENERAL, who is rogue and constantly peeing on the broad-based arrangement? UDA members in Nyanza must be free to campaign and associate with whomever they wish. ODM leaders must cease blackmailing President Ruto.” Robert Alaid added.

Meanwhile, ODM leader Oburu Odinga had initially stated that the current working formula between UDA and ODM in a broad-based government is on until 2027, as the country will head into the general election.