KISUMU, Kenya, Jan 14 – Nyanza United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party officials have vowed not to be scared by the continued verbal attacks by ODM leaders threatening them from making inroads in the Luo Nyanza Region.
Homa Bay County UDA Chairman Kennedy Obuya says it is quite unfortunate that ODM leaders continue to threaten those in UDA and even issue ultimatums adding that it is their right to be in UDA.
Obuya says Kenya is a multiparty democracy and everyone has a right to join any party of their choice adding that ODM is already scared of the rising numbers of the UDA members in the ongoing registration.
“The ODM Party has chosen a path of intimidation, chaos, violence and harassment to stem competition from the UDA Party in Luo Nyanza in particular and the rest of Nyanza in general,” he said.
He called upon the government to quickly investigate the conduct of the ODM Party which in their view now borders on criminal actions.
“These investigations will reveal the extent of ODM criminal acts and determination to hold on ground using ransom as their political currency,” he added.
Obuya says statements made by ODM leaders while at the burial of former ODM Migori chairman were reckless and barbaric adding that ODM must not get scared of the rising popularity of the UDA party in the region.
He singled out the utterances made by Hon Opiyo Wandayi, Governor James Orengo and Migori Senator Eddy Oketch as unfortunate while calling on the law enforcement officers to investigate their utterances which borders on hate-speech and ethnic incitement.
During the burial, the ODM leaders categorically told mourners that they will not allow UDA party officials to speak in their regions.
Speaking to the press in Kisumu Obuya also defended Interior PS Dr Raymond Omollo from accusations by ODM leaders that he is using state power to intimidate ODM leaders in the region.
He noted that such accussations are pure lies since the PS is a public servant and they must not drag his name into politics.
“The ODM Party has chosen to single out senior national government officials hailing from the region as their scapegoats and bogeys. These government officials are being vilified, insulted and intimidated daily by ODM politicians,” he said.
Obuya urged the residents of Nyanza to not be intimidated by ODM since the right to belong to a political party is enshrined in the country’s constitution.
“Those abandoning ODM for UDA are only accepting the self-evident reality that ODM as presently constituted and managed is too disorganized, visionless and lacks the strategy to win power in Kenya,” he said.
