Complaints over ODM's list of officials in Ndhiwa

Kanyamwa Kosewe MCA Nicholas Owaka who has been approved by ODM as the bona fide chairman of the party in Ndhiwa Constituency. [James Omoro, Standard]

The Orange Democratic Movement has moved to resolve a leadership tussle in Ndhiwa constituency as two factions claim control of the party branch.

The controversy birthed a faction whose chairman is Kanyamwa Kosewe MCA Nicholas Owaka, and another one led by Jerry Odeny as chairman.

To end the row, ODM National Elections Board has confirmed Mr Owaka and his faction members as the bona fide party officials in the constituency.

“We have had leadership wrangles since we conducted our election in April this year but ODM has made a declaration that I am the chairman. This applies to the rest of my team members based on how we were elected,” Owaka said.

Owaka, who was accompanied by his Vice, Oscar Abote, Secretary Walter Muok, Women Leader Caroline Odundo, delegate Florence Ouma, and other officials at Mirogi village, extended an olive branch to his rivals. “I call on our opponents to forget the past and support my leadership. My main objective is to strengthen ODM by registering as many members as possible,” Owaka said.

Muok criticised leaders still opposed to the party decision. “Let us accept the decision of ODM by supporting the leaders who have been approved,” Muok said. 

However, the ODM decision was vehemently opposed by Odeny’s faction. Odeny insisted that members of his team were the genuinely elected officials.

“We are surprised that the ODM National Elections Board has approved names of people who were not elected. The names do not reflect the voice of ODM members in Ndhiwa,” Odeny said.

He called for nullification of the decision.

Odeny’s vice Ogina Nyabola called on ODM leader Raila Odinga to intervene and solve the dispute. He argued that the board made an unfair decision. “We are calling on our leader Odinga to intervene in this matter and restore peace in the party leadership in Ndhiwa,” Nyabola said.