Barely two weeks after the demise of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM ) leader Raila Odinga, cracks are already emerging within the party’s Kwale County leadership.

The ODM appears to be facing internal turbulence in the region, with a section of members accusing the current county leadership of incompetence and threatening to stage a revolt to elect new officials.

According to disgruntled members, the existing leadership has failed to provide direction following Raila’s death, leaving grassroots supporters confused about the party’s future and its political alignment.

Msambweni Branch ODM Chairperson Abdallah Mambo led the charge, describing the county leadership as dormant and out of touch with ground realities.

“We have leadership, yes, but there is a gap. There has been no communication or guidance on the party’s next steps, whether it’s about the proposed broad-based government or the two-term debate,” Mambo said.

He warned that if the situation persists, ODM’s political grip in Kwale could weaken, adding that members may be forced to spearhead a leadership overhaul to restore order and confidence.

“Kwale ODM’s heartbeat is in Msambweni. If the current leadership continues sleeping on the job, we will not hesitate to lead a revolution to revive the party’s strength,” Mambo said.

Mambo further accused the current leadership of trivialising party matters, likening their conduct to a beauty contest rather than serious political engagement.

He added that some leaders have turned the party into a platform for taking selfies and chasing social media attention instead of addressing issues affecting members at the grassroots.

Another party member, Adnan Juma, expressed disappointment over what he termed the disappearance of long-serving county ODM figures after Raila’s death, instead of guiding members and maintaining unity.

“It is unfortunate that those who should be providing leadership are nowhere to be seen,” he said.

Juma said that apart from issuing a joint statement during Raila’s memorial at the Ukunda Showground, the county leadership has gone completely quiet.

He noted that the county ODM leadership was supposed to give direction on how members would participate in Raila’s burial, but since then, nothing has happened, only for their leaders to post pictures at Raila’s tomb.

Juma termed the conduct of the leaders as intolerable and weakening the party’s unity, warning that continued silence could erode ODM’s dominance in Kwale.

He called for immediate restructuring of the county leadership to restore confidence and realign the party with Raila’s ideals.

Safina Hamza, another staunch ODM member, accused the county leadership of sidelining loyal supporters and treating them like beggars.

“We feel abandoned. As Kwale diehard ODM supporters, we didn’t even get the chance to bury our leader, Raila. Our colleagues from other regions went to Bondo in large numbers, but our leaders deserted us,” she said.

Hamza urged the county leadership to communicate clearly on the party’s next steps and involve grassroots members in shaping ODM’s direction in Kwale.

Another member, Matano Budzo, echoed her sentiments, calling on the national ODM leadership to intervene and restore order in the county.

“Our local leaders have failed us. We need proper guidance from the national office to bring the party back on track,” said Budzo.

He revealed that a group of Kwale ODM members plans to travel to Bondo on Friday, October 31, 2025, to pay their last respects to Raila’s family and friends.

However, Kwale ODM Chairperson Sammy Ruwa dismissed the allegations, insisting that the party remains stable and will continue to stand strong even after Raila’s death.

Ruwa said the ODM party has already gained significant momentum, and as its county leader, he is determined to strengthen it further and secure all elective seats in honour of Raila’s legacy.

He maintained that the party’s presence on the ground is stronger than ever and that its rising support has already unsettled rival formations.

“We are saddened by the loss of our leader, but even after his death, the party will remain strong as Baba wished. We will follow in his footsteps, and in honour of Raila, I urge all members to vote Orange in the upcoming elections,” Ruwa said during a press briefing in Ukunda on October 15, 2025.