NAIROBI, Kenya — The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has reaffirmed its grip on Kenya’s Nyanza region following a series of by-election victories across key constituencies, underscoring the party’s enduring appeal despite a turbulent national landscape.
In the by-elections held on Thursday, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared ODM’s Boyd Were the winner of the vacant Kasipul parliamentary seat in Homa Bay County after he amassed 16,819 votes, far ahead of his closest contender.
Similarly, in Siaya County, party candidate Moses Omondi clinched the Ugunja seat with a decisive margin, beating his nearest rival by more than seven thousand votes.
Commentators say the double win highlights ODM’s resilience in its historical strongholds, even as other regions swing toward rival parties.
The victories come amid nationwide by-elections where the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) made significant inroads in other parts of the country, winning multiple National Assembly seats.
Still, in Nyanza and adjacent areas — often described as the late former Prime Minister’s political backyard — ODM’s performance was described by insiders as “reassuring.”
For residents of Homa Bay and Siaya counties, the results carry more than symbolic weight. Local stakeholders say the wins preserve the region’s political voice at a time of intense national debate over economic reforms, governance, and shifting party alliances ahead of the general election in 2027.
ODM has now set a tone in Nyanza: solidify its base, hold onto key seats, and project stability — a strategy many say may prove critical as the party navigates the post-Raila Odinga era and a changing political terrain nationwide.
