The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has launched a massive, well-oiled recruitment drive deep inside Raila Odinga's Nyanza and Western strongholds, sparking panic within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over a potential "hostile takeover."

Dubbed by insiders as "Operation Vunja Chungwa" (Break the Orange), the strategy goes beyond mere defections. UDA is systematically targeting ODM's grassroots infrastructure—the village elders, youth leaders, and women's leagues that form the bedrock of the opposition's mobilizing power.

The Strategy

UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar has termed the drive a "democratization" of Nyanza politics, but to ODM, it is an act of war. The ruling party is leveraging state machinery, promising direct government access and development projects to lure weary opposition supporters.

• Digital Recruitment: UDA has deployed a sophisticated digital registration system, recruiting members at the polling center level. Reports indicate thousands in Kisumu and Kakamega have already signed up, enticed by the promise of "bottom-up" funds.
• The Trojan Horses: UDA is using former ODM insiders—rebel MPs and MCAs—to lead the charge. These local leaders know the ODM network intimately and are dismantling it piece by piece.
• ODM's Response: A rattled ODM leadership has announced a counter-offensive, threatening to expel "moles" and calling for a National Delegates Conference (NDC) to shore up loyalty.

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This is not just about membership numbers; it is psychological warfare. By planting the yellow flag in the heart of Kisumu, President Ruto is sending a message: no zone is off-limits. For Raila Odinga, the challenge is no longer just winning the presidency; it is saving his party from extinction.