"Tame Your Mouth" - Sudi Fires At UDA Hardliners As ODM & UDA Unity Hangs In Balance

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has sharply rebuked fellow members of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), urging them to tone down attacks against the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as cracks continue to widen within the fragile political arrangement.

Speaking at a public event in Salgaa, Sudi cautioned that careless remarks from some UDA leaders risk collapsing the unity that has been built between the two parties. 

He criticized what he described as kimbelembele—excessive and unnecessary talk—warning that such behavior could derail the progress made under the broad-based government.

Although he did not directly name individuals, his message appeared targeted at hardliners within UDA who have recently intensified criticism of ODM. 

Sudi emphasized the need for restraint, dialogue, and mutual respect, insisting that disagreements should be handled privately rather than through public confrontations.

His remarks come barely a day after ODM, under the leadership of Oburu Oginga, announced the suspension of talks with UDA. 

The decision followed a tense Central Management Committee meeting where ODM leaders accused some UDA officials of making disrespectful and inflammatory statements against the party.

ODM has since directed its members to stop campaigning for William Ruto ahead of the 2027 elections, signaling a significant shift in political alignment. 

The party also indicated it will focus on strengthening its grassroots structures as it prepares to chart an independent path.

At the heart of the dispute is the contentious zoning debate. ODM leaders, including Samuel Atandi and Catherine Omanyo, have called for respect of party strongholds in any future agreement. 

They argue that unregulated competition by UDA in ODM-dominated regions undermines trust and cooperation.

However, UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar has pushed back, insisting that every party has the constitutional right to seek votes in all parts of the country. His stance has further fueled tensions, exposing deep divisions over strategy ahead of 2027.

Sudi’s intervention now highlights growing concern within UDA about the potential fallout. He warned that continued hostility could push ODM further away, jeopardizing the broader arrangement that brought key allies of Raila Odinga into government.