Why Kisii, Nyamira ODM Leaders Are Jittery Over Raila’s ‘Snub’ in Key Posts
There is increasing concern among ODM leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties regarding perceived favoritism by the party’s senior leadership.
This dissatisfaction could impact opposition leader Raila Odinga’s efforts to strengthen his local support bases while he also seeks the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
The rising discontent prompted nearly all elected ODM leaders from the region to hold private discussions last week to assess the situation and address claims of being sidelined by the party.
The August 1 meeting, held at a Nairobi hotel, followed recent party decisions that seemed to exclude leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties.
The gathering, which included Kisii Governor Simba Arati and ODM National Treasurer Timothy Bosire, aimed to evaluate recent developments and determine the next steps.
Participants also included MPs Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Okong’o Omogeni (Nyaribari Masaba), Cleve Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Obadiah Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu), Patrick Osero (Borabu), and nominated MP Irere Mayaka.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Nyaribari Masaba MP Daniel Manduku, both elected on ODM tickets, were absent from the discussions.
Recent Cabinet appointments by President William Ruto, which were intended to balance distribution across various ODM bases, overlooked the region.
Osero highlighted the frustration among ODM leaders from the Gusii region, stating, “We supported ODM wholeheartedly, yet all the seats were allocated to Luo Nyanza.”
He added, “We’ve been sidelined so much that our community must now stand united.”
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Luo Nyanza, a key support base for Raila, secured three Cabinet Secretary positions, including John Mbadi (National Treasury) and Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), leaving Kisii and Nyamira counties without any representation.
The remaining Cabinet positions went to Hassan Joho (former Mombasa governor), Wycliffe Oparanya (former Kakamega governor), and Beatrice Askul from Turkana County.
President Ruto did select Migosi Ogamba from Kisii County for the position of Education Cabinet Secretary, pending National Assembly approval.
Beyond the Cabinet roles, ODM leaders from Gusii are also frustrated by the exclusion from top National Assembly positions that arose from the CS nominations.
Following Wandayi’s appointment as CS, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed from Migori County was named as his successor for the National Assembly position.
Suba North MP from Homa Bay County will now replace Junet as the minority whip in the National Assembly, a change announced by ODM after an August 31 Central Management Committee meeting.
After Wandayi was nominated CS for Energy and Petroleum, Kibagendi expressed his interest in succeeding him as the National Assembly Minority Whip.
“I am an ODM elected legislator and have consistently defended the party, advancing the Azimio coalition’s agenda in the House and publicly. I can provide strong leadership as a minority leader,” Kibagendi stated on his X account on July 26.
He emphasized that his appointment would ensure regional balance within ODM and the Azimio coalition’s leadership.
Arati is reportedly aiming for the position of ODM deputy party leader amid anticipated leadership changes within the party.
Nairobi ODM officials have supported Arati for this role as the party undergoes a sensitive transition.
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Nairobi ODM chairman George Aladwa mentioned that Arati should be considered for the vacancies left by Joho and Oparanya’s nominations to the Cabinet.
“Arati has been dedicated to the party and has significantly contributed to its growth, both in Nairobi as an MP and now in Kisii county,” Aladwa said.
Before becoming Kisii county governor, Arati served two terms as the MP for Dagoretti North.
“He listens well and collaborates closely with the youth, making him well-suited to engage and mobilize them for our party,” Aladwa added.
Kisii and Nyamira counties have long been strongholds for Raila, consistently supporting him despite efforts by ODM rivals to penetrate the region.
Both the Senator and Governor were elected on ODM tickets, as were MPs from Kitutu Chache South, Nyaribari Masaba, and Bomachoge Borabu.
In the 2022 presidential election, Kisii County, with 637,111 registered voters, gave Raila 265,078 votes compared to President Ruto’s 135,326 of the 402,836 who voted.
Nyamira, with 323,283 registered voters, provided Raila with 129,025 votes versus Ruto’s 78,356 of the 208,651 valid votes.
Nyamira’s senator and MPs from Kitutu Masaba and Borabu were also elected on the ODM ticket.
Why Kisii, Nyamira ODM Leaders Are Jittery Over Raila’s ‘Snub’ in Key Posts
