The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has stamped its authority in Ugunja Constituency, with Moses Omondi Okoth decisively winning the parliamentary by-election held on Thursday. Omondi garnered 9,437 votes, securing a commanding lead over his rivals and reaffirming the party's dominance in its Siaya County stronghold.

The victory fills the seat left vacant by former MP Opiyo Wandayi, who was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum. Omondi, who previously served as Wandayi's constituency manager for 13 years, is now set to become the second-ever Member of Parliament for Ugunja since its creation in 2013.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Omondi the winner at the Ambira High School tallying centre. His closest challenger, Fredrick Ochiel of the United Democratic Movement, finished a distant second with 1,200 votes, followed by Benson Otieno of the United Green Movement with 1,171 votes.

A Mandate Tempered by Apathy

While the win was decisive, the election was characterized by significant voter apathy. Only 15,017 of the 60,114 registered voters participated, translating to a low turnout of just 24.98%. Early in the day, IEBC Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat had urged residents to come out and vote, noting the lower-than-expected numbers despite a peaceful and smooth process.

In his victory speech, Omondi expressed gratitude to the voters who turned out and pledged to unite the constituency. "I am humbled by the trust ODM members have shown in me. And I also want to thank the Party for conducting a free and fair nomination," he noted, referencing his earlier win in the party primaries.

Political Significance

Omondi's win serves as a crucial reaffirmation of ODM's grassroots strength in the Nyanza region. The by-election was seen by some as a litmus test for the party's influence, particularly after President William Ruto's earlier declaration that his UDA party and ODM would cooperate to field a single candidate to foster unity—a plan that did not materialize in the contested race.

The results from Ugunja, alongside other ODM victories in by-elections like Kasipul, signal the party's enduring political capital in its traditional strongholds. As Omondi prepares to take his oath, the focus will shift to his ability to deliver on the development agenda initiated by his predecessor and navigate the expectations of the Ugunja electorate.