The Orange Democratic Movement’s leadership row in Kakamega County has taken a fresh turn with a section of the party’s politicians confirming Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera as the newly elected Branch Chairman.

Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has confirmed Nabwera’s new position via his official page on Saturday, 13, 2025, days after Governor Fernandes Barasa declared himself as the chair following elections held on August 25, 2025.

“This afternoon, I was honoured to grace the homecoming ceremony of the newly elected ODM Chairperson- Kakamega County, Hon. Nabii Nabwera.

“The event, held at St. Emmaculate Heart Secondary School Grounds, Lugari Constituency, was also attended by MPs, MCAs, thousands of ODM supporters, among others,” Oparanya’s statement read.

Similar congratulatory messages were conveyed by MPs Elsie Muhanda and Christopher Aseka of Kwhisero.

The announcement comes after Nabwera dismissed the party elections that saw Kakamega governor declare himself the winner on August 25, 2025.

Taking to his Facebook page afterwards, Barasa rallied the party officials to shift focus on the task of strengthening the party.

“Honoured by the trust of ODM Kakamega delegates who have elected me as ODM Kakamega County Chairperson. Together, we now roll up our sleeves to strengthen our party ahead of 2027. Chama iko imara,” Barasa stated.

His victory was, however, met with fierce criticism from Nabwera, who impugned the manner in which the entire electoral process was conducted.

 In a statement on Monday, August 25, 2025, The Lugari lawmaker accused Barasa supporters of disrupting the process, forcing the electoral body to suspend the elections.

Meanwhile, the rift comes a day after ODM disclosed that it had not sanctioned any repeat elections in the county.

In a statement on Friday, September 12, 2025, ODM advised its supporters to ignore reports that it had called for repeat elections.

“The National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) of the ODM party has not called for any repeat election of the party in Kakamega at the County Coordinating Committee level. Any information to the contrary is false and should be ignored, the party stated.

The party is yet to issue an official statement on the bona fide holder of the position.