UDA Suffers Setback as Hundreds Join ODM in Meru

Hundreds of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party members in Meru have switched allegiance to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party following President William Ruto’s recent visit to the county.

During an ODM recruitment drive led by party leader Raila Odinga in Zablon Mathenge, Meru county on Saturday, February 3, 2024, the youths expressed their satisfaction with defecting from the ruling party, citing its lack of meaningful offerings for them.

The youths criticized the government’s policies, which they felt had not yielded positive results, leading to their disillusionment and subsequent defection from UDA politics.

“We are grateful to Raila Odinga for his presence here in Meru. These youths you see here were once members of UDA. We have been marginalized for too long, and we have decided to detach ourselves from UDA politics. From today, Meru has turned a new leaf. Our forefathers sold us out, but now we are breaking free from those chains. We declare our allegiance to ODM,” said Osman, speaking on behalf of the youths.

This move comes on the heels of UDA youth members in Ugunja defecting from the William Ruto-led party. These youths, including some boda boda operators, cited suffering and unfulfilled promises from the UDA party.

“I’m delighted to return to the ODM party because during my time in UDA, we suffered as our president kept saying he had marginalized us. As youths and boda boda riders, we have decided to return to the ODM party,” said Maurice Amenya, chairman of the Ugunja Boda Boda Riders Association.

They urged other youths nationwide to follow suit and abandon the ruling party, claiming it had nothing to offer them besides empty promises.

“This government has nothing for the youth except promises that we believe the next government will fulfill. We request the ODM office to assist us in mass recruitment,” added one of the youths.