Homa Bay UDA officials resist ODM’s demand for a written pre-election deal

UDA officials in Homa Bay have criticised ODM’s demand for a written pre-election agreement, arguing that the party should support President William Ruto without attaching further conditions.

The Standard identified county vice chairperson Rosemary Rumo and Ndhiwa women leader Rose Otieno among those making the argument at Ongaro village in Kanyikela Ward. Peterlis Ogendo, associated with an empowerment programme, also opposed the demand.

They cited ODM figures’ inclusion in government and development commitments as reasons for backing Ruto. Those arguments are political assessments; they do not establish that appointments remove a party’s ability to negotiate future cooperation.

Nor do local officials’ statements demonstrate that the national UDA leadership has rejected a written agreement. The report reviewed did not contain a formal national-party resolution doing so.

The disagreement concerns when political support should be exchanged for commitments: before an election through negotiation, or after it with reference to the support delivered. Each approach leaves different questions about accountability and bargaining power.

The next decisive evidence will be the national parties’ negotiating mandates and any written outcome. Until then, objections at a local meeting should be understood as pressure on the negotiations, rather than proof that a prospective coalition has collapsed.