ODM intensifies bid to strengthen party amid fresh sibling rivalry

ODM leader Raila Odinga and National Chairperson Gladys Wanga during her homecoming ceremony. [James Omoro, Standard]

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM party is facing a litmus test as it seeks to strengthen itself and conduct grassroots polls as fresh sibling rivalries emerge.

This as the party’s new leadership, led by interim party leader Anyang’ Nyong’o and chairperson Gladys Wanga launched a mass membership drive at a delegates conference in Migori yesterday.

The Sunday Standard has established internal fights and suspicion are simmering in the party as key officials eye various positions with an aim of controlling the party at the grassroots.

In Mombasa, for instance, there are fears the intense rivalry between Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and County Woman Representative Zamzam Mohamed is threatening the ODM party grassroots polls slated for November 27.

Nassir and Ms Mohamed are engaged in fierce supremacy battles, particularly after a blogger allied to the latter was allegedly sexually assaulted. The woman rep says Nassir has lost legitimacy after the incident.

Full control

The governor has, however, denied links to the heinous act of September 12, 2024. He has since recorded a statement at the Coast Regional Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over the incident after he was adversely mentioned in court.

As lobbying for the ODM seats intensified, the incident has turned out to be fodder for Nassir’s critics who is keen to gain full control of the Orange party that has dominated Coast politics for 20 years.

As the senior most ODM leader from the Coast, Nassir faces a daunting task to guarantee the unity of the region after the party’s grassroots elections. Nassir, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and Tana River’s Godhana Dhadho have over the past days held meetings to ensure there was no fall out from the ODM polls.

On Monday, the Nassir and Mohamed camps clashed before Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho at a public meeting held at Majaoni in Kisauni constituency.

The factions shouted at one another, caused commotion, and threatened to engage in physical combat as the leaders frantically attempted to calm them down.

On Tuesday, Joho, the former ODM Deputy Party Leader, intervened and called the party’s leaders at the Coast to order, saying they ought to bury their hatchet and work together for the sake of development.

Joho, who is also the immediate former Mombasa governor, observed that the continued wrangles could undermine harmony and development in the region.

He told the leaders to accommodate one another and pursue the development agenda as a united team.

“In Mombasa, the elected leaders must be united to achieve development. Right now, hundreds of residents of Bondeni face eviction and the issue can only be addressed if leaders unite and approach me and my boss President Ruto,” he said while officiating at a seafarers’ graduation ceremony at Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA).

Mombasa ODM chairman Mohammed Hamid Khamis, alias Dee, maintained that the party was vibrant as it geared towards the grassroots polls being organised by the National Elections Coordinating Committee headed by Emily Awita.

“We are ready for the grassroots elections. Mombasa is the most active party branch in the country. I am going to defend my seat. The team appointed to conduct the polls has gone for training in Nairobi although nobody has come out to challenge my team so far,” Khamis said.

Khamis, who did not want to comment on the political fights between Nassir and Zamzam, said for one to win at the county level, he must have participated from the polling centre level.

In Kakamega County, a section of elected leaders have hit out at ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi questioning his leadership style and ability to bring unity in the party.

The leaders elected on the party’s ticket accused Osotsi of disrespecting county leadership, which they say risks dividing the Orange stronghold.

The leaders now say Osotsi should use his position as deputy party leader to unite elected leaders in the party and not cause disunity within.

A section of Kakamega leaders who were speaking during the opening of the party’s office in Butere last week, questioned Senator Osotsi’s leadership style saying he was listening to a one-sided story.

The team was led by Governor Fernandes Barasa, Butere Member of Parliament Tindi Mwale, and Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera.

Mwale said, as the Butere lawmaker, he was better placed to tell if there is any problem between former governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Governor Barasa.

“If Oparanya is saying Barasa is disrespecting him, then who between Osotsi from Vihiga County and me as Oparanya’s lawmaker is in a better position to know? It is me who is supposed to know and, as far as I am concerned, Butere residents have not seen any problem,” said Mwale.

Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera faulted Osotsi for meddling in Kakamega politics without adequate information and advised him to  instead focus on bringing unity among party members and revamping the party ahead of planned grassroots elections.

Nabwera said Osotsi should respect elected leaders, just like he is respected as an elected Senator of Vihiga County.

“I want to ask leaders who come from outside Kakamega that you cannot come and dictate how we run our politics. We want leaders to respect Governor Barasa as he was elected by the people,” said Nabwera.

Governor Barasa faulted the deputy party leader for failing to be truthful and honest in accusations leveled against him.

ODM is expected to have party elections at polling stations countrywide on November 27.

- Reports by Patrick Beja, Anne Atieno and Benard Lusigi