As Ugunja Constituency inches closer to its by-election, the contest is shaping up into a fascinating duel of name recognition versus party loyalty. At the centre of this tension stands Chris Budo, a candidate whose reputation travels far beyond his native Ligega Ward, not because of relentless ground campaigns, but because of the enduring power of name recall.
A touching rhumba tribute by celebrated musician Johnny Junior immortalized his name, turning Budo into something of a cultural brand. In a country where music and politics often intertwine, this kind of recognition is political currency in its own right. It is an asset that few grassroots politicians can afford, and Budo is already cashing in—his name precedes him even in places he has never set foot to campaign.
Yet, Budo is not merely banking on his popularity in the cultural space. He has the added advantage of being free from ODM entanglements, a factor that could become decisive in a constituency long dominated by the Orange party. While ODM rivals are bracing for a bruising internal nomination battle in five days, Budo remains unshackled, projecting himself as the “outsider” who could spring a surprise if the party tears itself apart from within.
ODM Party Nominations
If politics is the art of loyalty, Ugunja is about to test its limits. Loyalty, as political philosophers argue, is noble only when it does not shade into blind sycophancy. But Kenyan politics often blurs this line. As Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie quipped in her novel Americanah:
“We are living in an ass-licking economy. The problem is that there are many qualified people who are not where they are supposed to be because they won’t lick anybody’s ass, or they don’t know which ass to lick or they don’t even know how to lick an ass. I’m lucky to be licking the right ass.”
In Ugunja, the question is: between Otieno Aluru, Moses Omondi, and Fredrick ZB Owino, who is licking the right ass? Who passes ODM’s loyalty test to become the party’s flagbearer?
Otieno Aluru: The Veteran With a Chequered Loyalty Record
Otieno Aluru is by far the most experienced aspirant, having chased the Ugunja seat since the constituency was carved out of Ugenya. His persistence is undeniable. But his loyalty? Questionable.
Aluru has been in and out of ODM like a pendulum. After losing the 2013 nominations to Opiyo Wandayi, he bolted to NAP-K. Ahead of 2017, he sensed another tough ODM primary and defected to FORD-K. In 2022, he shelved his ambitions, only to resurface after the seat fell vacant.
This long flirtation with different political vehicles leaves voters asking: is Aluru committed to ODM, or is he simply hitching rides on whichever bus seems convenient? His chances hinge on whether the party sees his experience as a strength—or his past defections as betrayal.
Fredrick ZB Owino: The Raila Diehard
If ODM were to award loyalty medals, Fredrick ZB Owino would likely top the list. From his early days in 2002 as chairman of the SDP Youth League to his more recent role as Azimio Nairobi County coordinator in 2022, ZB has been consistently at the centre of Raila Odinga’s election machinery.
He has been a presidential agent in every election since 2007, a returning officer in ODM party polls, and a trusted operative in Raila’s orbit. Pundits describe him as a “dyed-in-the-wool loyalist.”
But loyalty in politics doesn’t always translate into grassroots charisma. ZB is relatively unknown to many Ugunja residents beyond the ODM faithful. His bet is that the party machinery, if rallied behind him, will deliver the seat.
Moses Omondi: The CS’s Blue-Eyed Boy
For Moses Omondi, loyalty has a face: that of Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi. Having served as Ugunja Constituency Manager since its inception, Omondi is essentially Wandayi’s political understudy.
His ties to ODM are indirect—most of his networks exist because of Wandayi. But in party politics, proximity to power counts. Omondi is said to enjoy the backing of Wandayi’s loyalists, making him the presumed establishment candidate.
Yet this dependence on his mentor could be his weakness. Voters may see him as merely a continuity project, lacking independent political muscle.
Chris Budo: The X-Factor
And then there is Chris Budo. On paper, he should be a weak candidate: no prior experience in elective politics, limited grassroots structures, and no ODM support. He was even ranked at the bottom of a recent poll.
But politics is never just about polls—it is about perception, momentum, and timing. Budo’s base in Ligega Ward is solid, and his name recognition cuts across the constituency and beyond. Unlike his ODM rivals, he won’t emerge from a bruising nomination battle. His independence is both a shield and a sword.
If ODM splits its vote between factions or imposes an unpopular nominee, Budo could be the unexpected beneficiary. And in the event that either Alur or Omondi are not in the final ballot paper, it’s obvious that either would prefer Budo to benefit from a transfer of their support base and goodwill as opposed to either ZB Owino or MJ Okumu.
The Verdict: A Clash of Two Currencies
As Ugunja heads into the ODM nominations, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown. For ODM, the question is who embodies true loyalty—Aluru with his chequered past, ZB with his institutional devotion, or Omondi with his patronage ties.
For the wider electorate, however, the question may be simpler: does Chris Budo’s name and independence outweigh ODM’s brand?
In a region where ODM loyalty has historically been the ultimate ticket, Budo’s rise would be nothing short of an upset. But if his cultural resonance and grassroots base combine with ODM’s internal fractures, the “man with a name” could well rewrite Ugunja’s political script.
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