ODM man decamps, takes over Homa Bay UDA youth leadership

Kevin Ouma taking oath as the new UDA party Youth Wing leader on Saturday April 29, 2023. [James Omoro, Standard]

ODM party suffered a setback in Homa Bay after the county party youth leader Kevin Ouma who resigned a couple of weeks ago was elected UDA youth leader in the area.

Ouma has been the longest serving ODM youth leader after was elected during the party primaries more than six years ago.

And on Saturday, he emerged as the winner in UDA youth wing elections held in Homa Bay town. The election was presided over by UDA county coordinator John Odek.

In the election, human rights activist Evance Oloo was elected the organizing Secretary, Wayne Odote (secretary general) and Gordon Owiti (treasurer) alongside other officials.

Odek said the election was aimed at strengthening UDA in the county currently dominated by ODM.

He said they did not want anybody to hold a position in the party's youth wing without the consent of UDA's youthful members.

Over 200 delegates from all the eight constituencies within the county participated in the election.

"We wanted to have a democratic process and that is why we called UDA youthful delegates from all our eight constituencies to conduct the election. Those who have been elected have the blessings of the party members," Odek said.

Speaking after being elected, Ouma pledged to use his position to promote the UDA agenda in the county.

"I thank our young people for electing me to this post. I urge our people in this county to work together to promote the agenda of UDA in the county," Ouma said.

He said they would cascade the election to the ward level in all eight constituencies to ensure the party gets seats in the county assembly in the 2027 General election.

He said the current setting at the county assembly, which has a majority of ODM MCAs, has made it hard to oversight the executive.

He said their focus therefore would be to familiarise UDA to the residents so as to allow a vibrant electoral process in the 2027 General Election.

"Having all MCAs of one political party in our county assembly is a challenge to oversight. We want to ensure UDA too gets MCAs in the county assembly," said Oloo.

Kennedy Ongati, a member of the UDA youth league, told the youth in the county to embrace peace.

All we want is peace for the sake of development in our county," Ongati said.