Kasongo and other slogans United Opposition must stop using after heavy by-election loss

The United Opposition team has suffered a major blow after most seats went to the broad-based team, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the just-concluded by-elections.

Team leaders like Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa and Justine Muturi have been using slogans such as “Kasongo” and “Wantam” to rally supporters against President William Ruto’s regime and the candidates he backs.

Also watch: ODM stages early morning rally to celebrate Boyd Were’s Kasipul win

However, after being defeated in most positions in the by-elections, it is time for the opposition to go back to the drawing board and develop new strategies that resonate with voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Judging by the results, it is evident that relying on giving Ruto nicknames or negative slogans has proven to be ineffective, as reflected in the team’s heavy losses in the concluded by-elections, which many believe served as a litmus test for the general elections.

Gachagua and his team should focus on a real agenda, addressing issues that directly affect voters, instead of investing in slogans that fail to mobilise support.

The setbacks highlight the need for the United Opposition to rethink its messaging, connect meaningfully with constituents, and present concrete solutions if it hopes to remain competitive in the upcoming general elections.

Massive loss

Following the massive loss, it is evident that Kenyans are tired of empty talk, no vision, no strategy, and no plan by the united opposition.

Here are the areas they had invested heavily in, but they lost to the broad-based government.

• Malava

In Malava Constituency, the UDA candidate David Ndakwa emerged victorious.

Ndakwa garnered 21,564 votes, narrowly defeating the opposition candidate Seth Panyako, who was vying under Eugene Wamalwa’s Democratic Action Party -Kenya (DAP-K).

Panyako secured 20,210 votes, giving him a slim margin of 1,354 votes. 

Also watch: Cherargei hails UDA’s by-elections victory, predicts easy 2027 win for Ruto

• Mbeere North

This was a tightly contested race that attracted UDA’s top leadership, led by Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, and the Opposition team, led by Rigathi Gachagua, who campaigned heavily for their respective candidates.

However, the opposition also lost UDA’s stronghold after Leonard Muriuki wa Muthende garnered 15,802 votes, narrowly defeating his closest challenger, Newton Kariuki Ndwiga of the Democratic Party (DP), who secured 15,308 votes.

• Ugunja

ODM candidate Moses Omondi has won the Ugunja Constituency by-election with a commanding lead, securing 9,227 votes in a race that drew strong interest from across Siaya County.

His closest challenger, Orodi Odhiambo of the Wiper Party, garnered 1,819 votes, while Fredrick Ochiel of UDM came third with 1,200 votes.

Also watch: Wetang’ula hails by-election victors, reaffirms call for national cohesion

• Kasipul

The ODM candidate Boyd Ongondo Were was announced as the duly elected Member of the National Assembly for Kasipul Constituency after he clinched victory with an impressive 16,819 votes.

• Magarini

Harry Garama Kombe of the ODM party emerged victorious for the Magarini parliamentary seat.

• Banisa

In Banisa Constituency, Ahmed Maalim Hassan of the UDA has been declared the MP-elect.

• Baringo

UDA candidate Vincent Chemitei emerged victorious.