The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has sounded a high-decibel alarm over what it terms a "hostile takeover" attempt by the ruling UDA party, warning its members against clandestine meetings with government operatives.

The statement, issued from Chungwa House, comes amid reports of UDA infiltration into ODM’s grassroots structures in Western and Nyanza regions. Party stalwarts accuse President Ruto’s strategists of using state resources to buy loyalty and weaken the opposition from the inside out.

The Trojan Horse Fear

ODM leadership is jittery that UDA is not just poaching MPs but dismantling the party’s volunteer network. "They are coming with sacks of money to buy our soul," a senior official claimed.

• Grassroots Raids: UDA recruitment drives have intensified in traditional opposition zones, often led by former ODM insiders.
• Disciplinary Threats: The party has threatened to expel any official found "flirting" with the rival camp, invoking the Political Parties Act.
• The Bigger Picture: This friction points to the early onset of 2027 coalition building, where weakening the opponent is as vital as strengthening oneself.

Survival Mode

For ODM, this is an existential fight. Losing its grip on the grassroots would render it a shell of its former self. The warning is clear: pick a side, or be purged.