Let's be vibrant in recruiting new ODM members , says politician

Kisumu ODM officials have been urged to spearhead the recruitment of new members in the wake of fatigue among party stalwarts in the county.

A local politician, Fred Odumo, said the tempo has gone down, resulting in few people joining the party.

Odumo said the exercise must be rejuvenated to ensure those who have yet to register are brought on board.

He said he will work closely with subcounty ODM officials to work on strategies on how best to register everyone who has shown interest in the party.

"This is our party, and we must build it by bringing in new members who are fully registered," he said.

Speaking in Nyando subcounty on Saturday in this first meeting with  party officials, Odumo, who is a lawyer, says nobody is coerced, intimidated, or bribed to join the ODM party.

"Our party is open to anyone willing, but we must go out there to speak to non-members about the benefits of joining this party," he said.

Odumo says the exercise should not only be vibrant when party leader Raila Odinga is around but should be continuous.

He says he will meet all party officials in the county with the aim of scaling up the recruitment drive.

Odumo, who has shown an interest in the Kisumu senatorial seat in 2027, said that as the people of the county, they are firmly behind Raila, noting that the recruitment will strengthen the party, which is currently enjoying a huge following in the country.

ODM Nyando Sub Branch Chairman Apunda Magwar hailed the approach, which he said will net in more members.

Apunda said there is a need for support from party members with resources to ensure the exercise does not die out.

"We're solidly behind Raila, but we must all be registered with the ODM party, and our names must reflect in the political parties data base," he said.

Lawrence Micha, a party official in the subcounty, said the registration of many members will give the party a voice.

"President William Ruto is messing with this country; see how they want to constitute the new IEBC; let's have numbers to be able to challenge him when the time comes," Micha said.

During the meeting, Odumo said they put in strategies to ensure the officials reach out to the people in any gathering to give them a chance to register.

"The officials will walk to funerals, markets, churches, and any other open places to speak to our people to register," he said.

He told young people to grab the opportunity and register online.