United Green Movement party seeks to unsettle ODM in Nyanza stronghold

United Green Movement co-party leader Agustino Neto (in a cap) was addressing the party officials in Ndhiwa town. [James Omoro, Standard]

The United Green Movement (UGM) party is now the latest political party to raid ODM leader Raila Odinga's Nyanza stronghold.

This is after the party begun putting its structures in place in a bid to provide an alternative political voice to residents as opposed to ODM which has been the dominant political party in the region.

UGM now joins other parties such as the Movement for Democracy and Growth led by Ugenya MP David Ochieng' to raid Raila's backyard.

The party has begun conducting grass root elections as it positions itself to compete for political vigour in the region.

So far the party has conducted its election in Nhiwa in which a single position is held by a man and a woman.

The election was presided over by UGM Party Elections Board Aden Bute.

Former Chairperson of Homa Bay County Council Dorcas Matunga and former Kanyikela Councilor Daniel Nyambero were elected the co-chairpersons of the party in Ndhiwa Constituency.

The cardinal responsibility of the officials is to undertake recruitment of the party members in their jurisdictions.

Culmination of the exercise was the opening of UGM Constituency office in Ndhiwa town.

Co-party leader Agustino Neto said they are going to undertake the grass root elections in Kabondo Kasipul Constituency.

Neto said they are undertaking the exercises to strengthen UGM in the Nyanza region.

"UGM exists in 37 counties in Kenya but we have started the grass root elections in Nyanza to have a solid membership and representation," Neto said.

The former Ndhiwa MP said the election will be conducted from one constituency to another by the end of this year.

According to Neto, UGM's objective is to provide Nyanza residents with an alternative avenue through which they can elect various leaders.

He urged Nyanza residents to accept multi-party democracy whose proponents trace their roots in the region.

"Multi-party democracy started in Nyanza and that is why we are here to promote UGM. We are giving the people of Nyanza an alternative vehicle through which they can ascent to various elective seats," Neto said.

His sentiments were echoed by Matunga who said they are going to work hard in ensuring UGM gets as many members as possible.

"Even big political parties started the way we have begun. We are going to put all possible efforts to ensure UGM achieves the desired popularity in this region," Matunga said.