Things Nyong'o must do to revitalise ODM

Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe are like two peas in a pod.

Their calm demeanor makes them look like political pushovers. But when rattled, they prove that king lion, even if distressed, isn’t a domestic cat.

One other thing – they belong to the old order masked as new. While Mr ‘Crocodile’ thrives on Robert Mugabe’s antics, Prof Nyong’o aligns more with the era of Kenya’s second liberation.

This week, the newness or oldness of Prof Nyongo’ in the political space came to mind when the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) named him its leader following Raila Odinga’s exit.

Mr Odinga has retired because he’s eyeing the Africa Union Commission chair whose election is due in February 2025. Since the former prime minister declared interest in the plum continental seat, tongues have been wagging over his succession.

Perhaps the big question now is why there are no cheers following the Kisumu governor’s rise to the new powerful role in the Opposition outfit. Across the Orange strongholds, including my home county, no one cares that much. What could be the issue?

From where I sit, ODM has lost an opportunity to right many of the wrongs within its rank and file. In fact, the rhetorical question is: What new thing will Prof Nyong’o do? And can he be trusted to lead in a way that moves beyond the party's previous shortcomings?

Raila’s exit should have been a perfect chance for the old guard to step back and let new energies, like MP Babu Owino and Governor Simba Arati, reign.

It was time to go for ‘freshness’ outside Raila’s traditional circles. In fact, the new pick should have come from outside Luo Nyanza given that ODM enjoys support from many communities and counties.

With Prof Nyong’o now at the helm, he faces the critical task of revitalising the party. He must tackle poor strategy and deal-making that have long plagued ODM.

The era of botched primaries and arbitrary expulsions must end. Nomination fraud has led to the election of leaders with little grassroots support, undermining the party’s credibility.

In 2022, you will remember how ODM strongholds elected independents and kept off voting for Raila as he faced off with UDA’s William Ruto.

For the party to remain relevant, Prof Nyong’o must see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil like he did when he was a firebrand MP in SDP. In effecting a radical surgery in ODM, he must not spare the rod and spoil the child.  

At the same time, Prof Nyong’o and his team must prioritise good governance and transparency. Seasoned leaders like him must recognize that ‘old school’ practices have no place in a forward-thinking society of today.

Freedom of thought and expression should be encouraged. No one has the right to gag others or make them sycophants.

Past expulsions, such as those of Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, Lang’ata MP Felix Jalang’o, Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, Suba South’s Caroli Omondi, and Gideon Ochanda of Bondo, have made it difficult to envision a revitalised ODM beyond mere partisanship. It’s time to write a new script that respects fundamental rights of members.

In political science, democracy relies on parties to organize, campaign, and facilitate informed choices. A party that decries electoral fraud at the presidential level while ignoring it in smaller positions, as ODM did in the past, risks losing its way.

Over and above, Prof Nyong’o and ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga who recently replaced John Mbadi, should lead with a commitment to strong ethical standards and a visionary approach that extends beyond fielding candidates and winning elections.

Let the good professor help the Orange outfit regain its influence. Any missteps could see the Orange party get swallowed by the ruling UDA, which recently became its ally in the broad-based Cabinet. Godspeed, Prof Nyong’o!

-The writer is a communications practitioner.