Two Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislators from Siaya County have declared a forceful campaign against supporters of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Kenya Kwanza Coalition in Nyanza region.
Despite concerns of political intolerance and potential incitement to violence, Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi and Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo justified their actions, accusing UDA supporters of spreading "lies, trickery, insults, and threats" in the region.
The MPs claimed that UDA factions have been misleading locals with false development narratives.
They spoke at the precincts of the Siaya County Assembly ahead of Governor James Orengo's State of the County Address on Friday.
MP Atandi said that the group that will be cracking down on UDA people is called the Physical Forces and that he is the Commander of that battalion.
"A few days ago, we announced plans to counter Kenya Kwanza elements in our region, and we are very serious about this," stated Atandi.
He clarified that their motive isn't animosity towards other parties, but to counteract misinformation and false development narratives spread by these parties, which they believe are confusing the locals.
"It's our responsibility to address these confusions, and I urge our forces to start next week. Don't delay," he added.
Atandi also expressed concern over Kenya Kwanza's alleged insults towards their party leader Raila Odinga, emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable and will be actively challenged.
"That is the order am giving today as the commander of the force in the region," said Atandi.
On his part, MP Otiende clarified that ODM has no issue with other political parties, but will not tolerate attacks on Raila Odinga and other ODM leaders.
"They should focus on promoting their own party instead of spreading lies and attacking our leaders. We've warned them to stop this," he stated.
Otiende also accused the UDA team of deceitfully registering people in the region. "They set up medical camps and food distributions, then collect IDs under the pretext of aid, enrolling people into UDA. This is completely unacceptable," he emphasized.
The lawmakers' sentiments came barely a week after Ugenya MP David Ochieng and former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo - both supporters of Kenya Kwanza - were heckled and chased from a funeral that was attended by Raila.
