Dogfight in ODM as insiders eye to replace nominees

The nomination of key figures in Raila Odinga’s Orange party to join President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Administration has attracted more candidates with imminent stiff competition among the contenders.

The development comes after two ODM Deputy party leadership positions previously held by Cooperative Cabinet Secretary nominee Wycliffe Oparanya and Mining Cabinet Secretary nominee Ali Hassan Joho are now up for grabs with several candidates showing interest.

The Orange party is now caught in another delicate balancing act as it seeks to fill in the vacant slots outside parliament.

The two positions have attracted party stalwarts Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, her Mombasa counterpart Abdulswamad Shariff, Paul Otuoma (Busia), Simba Arati (Kisii), Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Likoni lawmaker Mishi Mboko.

Party leader post

Governor Ochillo Ayacko (Migori) and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino are said to be eying the party leader position should Raila Odinga clinch the African Union chairmanship coveted seat in the February 2025 polls.

Both Osotsi and Otuoma argue that the seat which has been left vacant following the nomination of Oparanya, should be occupied by a person who hails from the Western region to balance the equation.

Equally, both Abdulswamad and Mboko contend that the seat left vacant by Joho should also be filled by a person from the Coastal region specifically Mombasa.

On the other hand, Wanga contends that for a long time, the top echelons of the party have been male-dominated and it is high time the Orange party walks the talk in supporting women leadership and giving one of the deputy party positions to a woman.

Both Wanga and Mboko have entered the race wielding the gender card that could stir the political waters amongst other contenders.

The National Chairman position is also up for grabs following the nomination of John Mbadi as the National Treasury and Planning Cabinet Secretary nominee.

The seat has attracted political heavyweights Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ and his Narok counterpart Ledama Ole Kina.

In what could be described as regional balance and representation, Kajwang’ argues that since Mbadi hails from Homa Bay County, a party loyalist should do the replacement from the same County.

While making his bid, Kajwang’ argues that his leadership skills have been proven for the third term he is in the Senate where he is currently serving as the Chairman of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee which is out to ensure prudent expenditure of funds allocated to the 47 counties across the country.

The Homa Bay Senator said that he comes from a region that fully supports the ODM Party and would make history if elected by holding a position that his elder brother former Homa Bay Senator the late Otieno Kajwang once occupied before he suddenly passed away.

“If elected as ODM National Chairman it would be a win for the youth of Kenya since they will be represented at the highest echelons of the largest opposition party in Kenya, coming from a region that fully supports ODM Party is a plus for me as I move to other areas seeking support,” said Kajwang.

National Chairman

Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina who is ready to battle it out with Kajwang’ for the national chairman position, said that he was ready to serve as the party since he proved to be decisive when he stood up to defend the Azimio Coalition at Bomas of Kenya.

“I am ready to make our party vibrant as it keeps the government in check inside and outside parliament, I feel I am the right candidate to serve as the ODM National Chairman and will be going out to seek the support of our party members to clinch this position,” said Kina.

The announcement by the Central Committee comes on a backdrop of cutthroat competition from Raila’s loyalists who have been jostling for the Minority Leadership position which had attracted Millie, Dr Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), Tom Kajwang’ (Ruaraka), Anthony Oluoch (Mathare), George Aladwa (Makadara), Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South) and Jared Okello (Nyando).

While announcing the resolutions of the ODM’s Central Committee, Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said that he had received the resignation letters of the nominees.

And in taking cognisance of the vacancies occasioned by the nominations, Sifuna further disclosed that the Orange party shall be embarking on wide consultations amongst its membership to fill those vacancies. “That the party has officially released its officials who were recently tapped by President William Ruto for national duty as Cabinet secretaries.

I confirm that I have received the resignations of Mbadi as National Chairperson, Wandayi as Secretary for Political Affairs, Oparanya and Joho as Deputy Party Leaders, and Beatrice Askul Moe as a member of the Party  Elections Committee,” said Sifuna.