By Andrew Kariuki

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has issued one of the strongest public warnings yet to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), declaring that the Nyanza region remains firmly under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and will not tolerate what she termed as political “disrespect.”

Speaking during a recent public event, Wanga, who also serves as ODM National Chairperson, delivered a charged address that signaled rising tensions within the so-called broad-based political arrangement between ODM and UDA.

“As the National Chairperson of ODM, I want to make it very clear that Homa Bay County and this entire region is an ODM zone. IT IS AN ODM ZONE! ” she said.

Wanga took issue with an incident at a recent funeral where chants of UDA were reportedly made in the presence of ODM leader Oburu Odinga, warning that such displays would not be tolerated going forward.

“The next time I see what I saw at the funeral… where my party leader was seated and some people were shouting UDA — we will not agree. We will not accept. It will not happen! ” she stated firmly.

In a message laced with warning to Ruto lead UDA Party, Wanga emphasized that ODM would defend its political space at all costs.

“We will protect ODM with our lives. We will protect our party leader with our lives… and if you want to dare us, I will tell you today — bring it on. Don’t dare us,” she declared.

She further used a metaphor to caution opponents against mistaking ODM’s restraint for weakness: “You might see a lion rained on and think it’s a cat. There is no cat here.”

Her remarks come just days after Suna East MP and ODM official, Junet Mohamed also publicly pushed back against UDA, clarifying that ODM’s participation in the broad-based framework was not out of necessity but a deliberate effort to foster national unity.

Junet warned that if the spirit of unity was no longer being respected, ODM would reconsider its position, noting that the party “does not lack options.” He added that if UDA believes it holds stronger ground politically, ODM could allow the current formation to chart its own path ahead of the 2027 elections.

Wanga’s statements now add a sharper, more confrontational tone to what had previously been framed as internal disagreements within the Broad-Based political arrangement.

While neither ODM nor UDA has formally announced a split, the rhetoric from senior ODM leaders suggests a growing unease and a push to clearly define political boundaries—especially in regions considered strongholds.

The developments raise questions about the durability of the broad-based cooperation between the two parties, with Wanga’s remarks in particular signaling that ODM is increasingly unwilling to accommodate UDA’s presence in its traditional support base.

Whether this marks the beginning of a full political fallout or simply a recalibration of terms remains to be seen, but the message from Homa Bay is unmistakable: ODM is drawing the line and Nyanza is non-negotiable.