Ugunja, Siaya County, Thursday, September 25, 2025 – Barely hours to the ODM party nominations in Ugunja Constituency, tension is thick in the air as allegations of rigging, bitter rivalries, and silent defections threaten to overshadow the highly anticipated Friday nomination exercise.
At the center of the storm is parliamentary aspirant Moses Omondi, who has come out strongly to dismiss claims that he was plotting to disrupt or manipulate the primaries. His rival, Fredrick Owino, had filed a petition earlier this week alleging a scheme to tilt the contest in Omondi’s favor through “shadow deals.”
Omondi, however, scoffed at the allegations.
“These claims are like answering exam questions before the test is done. Let us meet the people at the ballot instead of spreading propaganda,” he said during a tense Tuesday meeting.
ODM’s Unwieldy Machine
Beyond the accusations and counterclaims, the Ugunja nominations have revealed the uneasy relationship between ODM’s powerful party machinery and its grassroots aspirants.
Sam Okoyo, once seen as a formidable contender with deep grassroots connections and strong youth mobilization, has recently appeared resigned to what he privately calls the “unwieldy ODM nomination juggernaut.” His camp insists the process is heavily tilted against independents within the party who lack insider ties.
Observers note that Okoyo’s fading enthusiasm is a warning sign: “If strong grassroots players like Okoyo feel suffocated, ODM risks bleeding credibility in areas where its support has traditionally been unquestioned,” said Dr. Eunice Amolo, a Kisumu-based political analyst.
Silent Players, Big Stakes
The nomination has also drawn other notable aspirants whose strategies remain cloaked in mystery:
Joseph Otieno Alur, considered a frontrunner with a strong village-to-village campaign network, has been conspicuously quiet on the rigging allegations, fueling speculation he is keeping his powder dry until voting day.
Dr. MJ Okumu, a respected professional, is rumored to be weighing a defection should the process appear compromised.
Lillian Akinyi Aketch, though less prominent in the race, is still seen as a potential spoiler who could tilt the balance in a tight contest.
Together, their silence and behind-the-scenes maneuvering have only added to the growing anxiety.
The Ghost of Past Chaos
ODM’s primaries are notorious for their turbulence. On Wednesday the Kasipul nominations spiraled into chaos before the party hurriedly declared Boyd Were the winner amid protests. For many in Ugunja, the memory of such disruptions hangs over tomorrow’s exercise like a storm cloud.
Party officials have sought to calm nerves, assuring the public of a transparent process. But skeptics argue that ODM’s perennial nomination chaos is both its biggest weakness and its biggest test.
More Than Just a Ticket
For ODM, the stakes in Ugunja extend far beyond the parliamentary ticket. The constituency is a symbol of the party’s dominance in Siaya, and a bungled primary here could embolden rivals ahead of 2027.
By Thursday evening, campaign posters plastered Ugunja’s streets, boda boda riders roared campaign slogans, and small groups of voters debated in hushed tones whether Friday would be “the people’s ballot” or “a party boardroom show.”
The verdict will come at the ballot box tomorrow. Whether Ugunja emerges as a testament to ODM’s democratic strength or as another cautionary tale of its nomination woes remains to be seen.
Leave a Reply