ODM warns 'fence-sitting' leaders over UDA broad-based deal

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party is mulling summoning party leaders who it says are blowing hot and cold over the current political arrangement with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Acting ODM Secretary General Catherine Omanyo warned lawmakers who have not declared their political stand to align themselves with the party position, describing them as fence-sitters.

“I want to warn those who are lukewarm; even the Bible warns them that you are either cold or hot. We will not welcome such people in ODM. We only want those who have declared that they are hot. I know the fence-sitters think that we are broken; we are not!” she said.

“This party is the party to beat… even those who are coming to partner with us already know that we are a no-nonsense party. Nobody wants to partner with you if you are a weakling.”

The Busia Woman Representative spoke at the party headquarters while meeting an ODM delegation from Kajiado County, where she urged members to back the broad-based arrangement beyond the 2027 elections.

Omanyo's remarks came barely two days after Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo found herself on the receiving end after she was jeered by locals in Kisumu County during a presidential event, following her previous sharp criticism of ODM leaders supporting the broad-based administration.

Millie, in her defence, said her perceptions about her political positioning, particularly being referred to by the tag “fence-sitter,” are not necessarily driven by the need to take sides simply because of political alliances or expectations.