13-year journey that earned Moses Omondi Okoth Ugunja vote

Moses Omondi’s victory in the Ugunja by-election marked not just a political milestone for him, but also a turning point for a constituency he has served quietly for over a decade.

Running on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket, Omondi clinched the seat with 9,447 votes.

Although information about his academic background remains limited, his 13 years of administrative experience under former Ugunja MP and current Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary James Opiyo Wandayi shaped him into a great contender for the seat.

Omondi’s public service journey is defined less by titles and more by experience. From 2012 to 2025, he served as the Ugunja Constituency Manager, a role that placed him at the centre of planning, managing, and monitoring development projects.

His long tenure gave him intimate knowledge of Ugunja’s persistent challenges, from underfunded public facilities to economic disparities and this familiarity is widely seen as a key reason voters entrusted him with the top seat.

After being declared winner by the IEBC returning officer, Omondi delivered a victory speech that captured both his loyalty to the ODM movement and his commitment to the people.

“Raila lit the fire; it’s our time to let it burn,” he said, invoking the party’s long-standing political identity.

He went on to salute the people of Ugunja for standing with him.

Omondi pledged continuity, promising to build on Wandayi’s development legacy while ushering in a more people-centred leadership style. He thanked the leaders who supported his campaign.

He further extended an olive branch to his opponents, emphasising harmony over rivalry.

“I will stand by the Ugunja people in Parliament and make decisions that align with their interests. I will also abide by the party ideologies and principles.”

His closest competitor, Orodi, conceded defeat gracefully, urging calm among supporters and promising to support the MP-elect.