By Anderson Ojwang
A year after the demise of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, the enigma, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, the party could be heading towards becoming a swallow.
President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), in a broad-based alliance with ODM, could be swallowing Raila’s party and eating into its political veins and identity.
From opening offices in all ODM strongholds and preparing to sponsor candidates for all elective posts, ODM leadership has now adopted the UDA slogan, dropping the 20-year-old ODM slogan, Tuko Tayari. Tuko Tayari.
The slogan
The slogan, which was a rallying point for the party as Raila battled for the presidency, has now been frozen out following what appears to be a political deal between President William Ruto and ODM leadership.
While the ODM slogans seem to have been frozen out, a new slogan for President Ruto’s re-election has taken precedence. It is USAWA NI SAWA, Mbele Pamoja.
ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga and other party leaders have already been popularising the slogan at their various political functions.
**“We acknowledged the commitment of Kanyaluo and the entire Karachuonyo to supporting our transformational agenda for Homa Bay, as well as our plans leading up to next year’s elections.
It’s USAWA NI SAWA from Ayier in Kanyaluo. Mbele Pamoja!”** Wanga said.
Last week, at a function in Eldoret with President Ruto, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed announced that UDA and ODM had entered into an agreement to support President Ruto’s re-election.
“I want to declare that ODM and UDA have an agreement to support President Ruto’s re-election, and our party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga, has signalled this,” he said.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi also posted on his wall after an engagement, signing off with the new slogan.
**“Engaged grassroots leaders and stakeholders from the Nyanza region on strengthening unity, advancing equitable development and consolidating the broad-based partnership under President William Ruto. Our shared focus is on translating unity of purpose into tangible opportunities, improved livelihoods and sustained development as we build towards 2027 and beyond.
Usawa Ni Sawa. Mbele Pamoja,”** he said.
UDA’s primary slogan is Kazi ni Kazi, paired with a wheelbarrow symbol, but it has now been changed to Usawa ni Sawa, Mbele Pamoja (Equality is fair/right. Forward together).
Adopt
For President Ruto, the new slogan resonates with his mission of promoting equity and eradicating marginalisation.
The new slogan replaces the hustler narrative through which he rose to the presidency, and he now hopes that the new political message of equality, inclusion and equitable development will become his new slogan.
Ruto has embraced the slogan “Usawa ni Sawa, Mbele Pamoja” (Equality is Fair, Forward Together), which political observers view as his emerging campaign mantra.
Bondo, the significance
In the backyard of the doyen and ODM leadership, Bondo, the slogan was born and first used by President Ruto.
At a public rally on October 7, shortly after presiding over the handover of the late Raila Odinga’s mausoleum, Ruto also wittingly unveiled the slogan in what can be viewed as a political scheme to woo the ODM fraternity.
“Kenyans have decided that it is in 2027 that they shall vote resoundingly for the equity and equality of all Kenyans,” Ruto said. “We shall vote for equity of all Kenyans. We shall get rid of discrimination, hatred, jealousy and tribalism so that Kenya can unite and forge together.”
Mashujaa Day
The choice of dates and events by President Ruto to introduce and explain the slogan is significant and strategic.
During the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, Ruto said leaders must debate ideas and development plans rather than resort to ethnic politics and personal attacks, while insisting that his government remains open to scrutiny.
Ruto said his administration was spreading development across the country without discrimination, unlike previous governments.
“Our democracy must be a contest of ideas, policy and programmes, not a competition in ethnic division and personal attacks. Every leader must present a clear vision of where they want to take Kenya and a practical plan on how they will take it there,” Ruto said.
Zoning
The fear of UDA gaining influence has forced ODM leadership to demand zoning of its strongholds.
Dr Oburu has stated that ODM’s irreducible minimum is the zoning of ODM strongholds from UDA and other coalition partners.
Wanga has declared that Homa Bay and the broader Nyanza region are ODM zones and will not tolerate opposition, specifically warning against UDA infiltration.
Wanga insisted that any coalition agreement with UDA must include a clear zoning formula that guarantees ODM a fair and respectable number of seats in regions where it has strong support.
“ODM will not be a ‘junior affiliate’ to UDA, and we expect a 50-50 power-sharing structure where ODM controls its traditional strongholds,” she insisted.
However, Siaya County UDA supporters have warned that President William Ruto risks losing votes in Nyanza should he give in to ODM’s zoning agenda.
Led by acting Siaya County UDA chairman Fredrick Oyugi Dor, they argued that embracing zoning would not only deny the President votes in Luo Nyanza but also lock out potential and visionary leaders keen on bringing reforms that would transform residents’ lives.
“Ring-fencing the Nyanza region in favour of ODM is a blow to other parties with potential candidates for 2027. The strategy will be a blow to the President, who is seeking re-election in 2027,” said Dor.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o said that, as the country moves closer to 2027, the troubling idea of informally dividing Kenya into political zones where only certain leaders are expected or allowed to compete negates democracy.
“Accepting zoning would mean replacing open competition with predetermined outcomes. It would treat voters as passive observers rather than active decision-makers. It will also weaken accountability since leaders would no longer need to persuade a wide range of citizens to earn their support,” he said.
So, is UDA swallowing ODM?
