Governors, ODM rebels vie for Ruto’s attention
By Kepher Otieno, October 31, 2023Governors from Nyanza counties – all drawn from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party led by Opposition supremo Raila Odinga) have decided to work closely with the national government to forestall support for their rivals allied to President William Ruto who seek to succeed them in the 2027 election.
Staring at competition from some of the ODM lawmakers who have defied the party wave to work with Ruto, the governors are walking a tightrope in the eyes of their supporters who owe their allegiance to opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The Governors are Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), James Orengo (Siaya), Ochillo Ayacko, (Migori) and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay).
Some of the rebel ODM legilators from their counties are eyeing their positions and daring them to a duel in the 2027 election.
They are Tom Ojienda (Kisumu), Mark Nyamita (Migori), Gideon Ochanda, (Bondo) and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi who is romoured to be eyeing the Homa Bay governorship.
ODM renegade legislators have been contemplating registering their own party, having fallen out with the party that sponsored them to Parliament.
Competing interests
Although some party supporters and leaders would wish to see the governors turn their back on the national government, they have defied them “for the sake of development.”
Politically, observers say, the governors have found themselves in a precarious political situation and they have to balance competing interests.
The county chiefs have to choose between two equally unpleasant courses of action – work with Ruto but manage Raila supporters so that they do not read more about their association with the national government beyond development objectives.
“If they don’t work with Ruto, they will be seen as enemies of the State and they will be sidelined. Development in their areas could be delayed,” says political scientist Tom Omollo.
Fidelity to law
During Ruto’s recent visit to Nyanza, governors united, set aside their political differences and welcomed the President.
Although most of them would want to maintain loyalty to the sponsoring party, they are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
“We have no option but to work with President Ruto’s administration. The Constitution stipulates clearly that there is only one President and fidelity is to the law,’’ said Ayacko.
Rather than stay away from Ruto functions and give room for their opponents to work with the President in their turfs, the governors have given in.
Orengo explained that while they subscribe to different schools of thought with the President, they have to work with him to deliver services and projects to the people.
Similar sentiments are advanced by governors Wanga, Nyong’o and Ayacko. While recognising that the sponsoring party was supreme, they say that should not deny them the opportunity to work with Ruto.
The governors argue that some of the key projects being undertaken in the counties require close collaboration or partnership with the national government.
Examples include the establishment of industrial parks in counties and writing off billions of shillings owed to sugar companies. The rebel MPs now wonder why ODM should punish them for working with the government.
“They said we are in UDA but now they wine and dance with us,’’ said Ochanda. Nyamita and Ojienda agreed with Ochanda. Last month, they were expelled from ODM but Political Parties Tribunal saved them.