Interior PS Raymond Omollo calls for an end to bickering between ODM and UDA leaders in Nyanza, as zoning disputes and 2027 election politics intensify.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has called for mutual respect between ODM and UDA leaders in Nyanza, warning that political bickering could undermine cooperation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The message landed during a meeting at Homa Bay High School with boda boda riders, where Omollo addressed both party tensions and the role of young people in the political process.. His intervention follows rising disquiet between ODM leaders allied to the broad-based government and UDA leaders in the region over the terms of a pre-election coalition.
At the center of the disagreement is a zoning proposal pushed by some ODM figures in what they describe as party strongholds.. UDA leaders, however, argue that zoning would limit their ability to contest parliamentary seats in Nyanza.. The dispute is now spilling into open tension inside the wider ODM-UDA relationship, with reports that some ODM voices in the region have urged President William Ruto to sack Dr Omollo.
Omollo’s stance was blunt: unity and peace cannot be achieved through public disrespect or statements that deepen divisions.. Speaking at the Homa Bay event, he advised ODM and UDA leaders to stop trading barbs and instead respect one another as they approach the election period.. He also urged politicians to follow guidance from President Ruto and ODM leader Oburu Oginga rather than making remarks that inflame rivalry.
The zoning debate is gaining momentum as UDA pushes to strengthen its regional footprint.. The party has been conducting grassroots activities and elections intended to consolidate support, steps that often raise expectations among local aspirants—especially in a year when every seat matters.. For UDA, the fear is that zoning could be used to pre-determine contests, discouraging candidates who want to test their popularity through open competition.
That concern was echoed by UDA Chairman for Suba North Constituency, Okuku Miregi, who said zoning is not favourable for the party.. Miregi framed the issue as one of fairness, arguing that ODM and UDA should compete on equal footing in Nyanza.. In his view, zoning also carries an impression that a political party is tied to a particular community or region, a perception he said could distort voter choices.
Beyond party rooms, Omollo also turned to the riders’ immediate reality.. He urged youth involved in boda boda work to reject political leaders who try to incite them to cause violence.. The warning is likely aimed at preventing a familiar pattern seen around election seasons—where tense political contests sometimes spill into street-level mobilisation.
For riders, the stakes are practical as much as political.. Many depend on daily movement for income, and disruption—whether through clashes, harassment, or sudden crackdowns—can quickly translate into lost earnings and heightened insecurity.. Omollo’s call therefore touches more than ideology; it speaks to stability for workers whose livelihoods are tied to how safe roads remain during tense periods.
The broader implication is that how ODM and UDA manage their relationship may shape calm—or conflict—across parts of Nyanza.. If leaders continue to signal mistrust, campaigns can harden into blocs, making it harder for moderates to mediate.. On the other hand, Omollo’s public appeal for respect suggests an attempt to keep the coalition relationship functional long enough for election preparations to proceed without major fractures.
Omollo reaffirmed government commitment to empowering the boda boda sector.. He said he plans to speak to President Ruto about arranging a fundraiser to support riders, and he encouraged riders to pursue government job opportunities, including roles such as chief and assistant chief.. His message also carried a wider reminder: boda boda business may be a current income source, but it should not be the only long-term path for young people seeking stability.