Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has sharply responded to comments by Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Wycliffe Oparanya regarding the state of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Western Kenya.

Taking to his official X account on Sunday, May 10, 2026, Alai told Oparanya to leave the party if he no longer believes in its direction.

Alai’s remarks come after Oparanya expressed concern that internal disagreements and leadership disputes within ODM were making it increasingly difficult to mobilise support in the region, particularly amid tensions surrounding Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

In response, Alai questioned why Oparanya remained in the party if he felt its future was tied to individual leaders.

“Why can’t Oparanya just leave ODM instead of making it appear like the destiny of ODM is tied to Sifuna?” Alai posed.

Oparanya’s concerns over Western support

Oparanya had recently warned that ODM risks losing popularity in Western Kenya if the perceived sidelining of leaders continues. He argued that grassroots supporters were increasingly uneasy about internal disciplinary actions affecting leaders from the region.

The former ODM deputy party leader suggested that such developments were weakening ODM’s mobilisation efforts at the grassroots level, especially among young leaders and local party structures.

Rising internal ODM tensions

The exchange highlights deepening divisions within ODM, with competing narratives emerging over leadership direction, regional representation, and party discipline.

Several leaders have in recent weeks publicly disagreed over internal decisions affecting senior figures, including removals and reshuffles within party and parliamentary structures.

Western Kenya remains a key political stronghold for ODM, and recent statements by leaders from the region suggest growing sensitivity over perceived marginalisation within the party.

Governor Fernandes Barasa has openly declared that Kakamega now wants the ODM party’s deputy party leader position.

Speaking to residents in the Nanyeni area of Matungu Sub-County on Sunday, May 10, 2026, Barasa said leaders from Kakamega believe the region deserves greater influence within ODM’s top leadership structure.

“Sisi Kakamega tunataka kiti ya deputy party leader wa ODM,” Barasa stated during the public address.

The position was previously held by Oparanya, who left after joining the executive in a broad-based government arrangement between the ODM party and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

While Oparanya’s counterpart Hassan Joho, who also left the position to join the executive, was replaced by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nasir, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi was picked as a Western Kenya replacement.

However, his role was short-lived, as he was kicked out after being considered a rebel over his links to the Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM party.