Kakamega ODM leadership stalemate another headache for Raila

Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa with Returning Officer Felix Ngala during the disputed county delegates elections at Iguhu KMTC on Monday/IMAGE /HILTON OTENYO 

The outcome of the repeat ODM delegates' elections in Kakamega County has exposed deep-seated divisions within the party's leadership.

 What was intended to unify the party in one of its strongholds has instead amplified simmering tensions.

 Two opposing factions held separate elections, each declaring their own chairman.

 One faction, allied to Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, confirmed him as the county chairman. The other group, led by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, also declared him chairman.

 The split pits governor Barasa and MPs Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani), Johnston Naica (Mumias West) and Tindi Mwale (Butere) against Nabii and MPs Titus Khama (Lurambi), Christopher Aseka (Khwisero), Peter Nabulindo (Matungu), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani) and Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda.

 This outcome puts party leader Raila Odinga in a difficult position, as he must now try to hold the party together with the next general election only 23 months away.

 He is faced with two choices: broker a truce between the factions or choose between the seven MPs determined to oust Barasa and the governor with his three allies.

 This challenge comes at a time when Raila is also grappling with a rebellion from party secretary general Edwin Sifuna and other youthful MPs.

 Speaking after the walkout from the delegates election at Iguhu KMTC, Christopher Aseka said the party must decide whether to work with the MPs or with Barasa and his team, signaling a major split ahead of the 2027 general election.

 "We shall continue working under Nabii as our chairman. Let the party decide whether to work with us or Barasa," Aseka said, blaming the party's National Elections Board for the chaos. He added that the MPs would decide whether to remain in the party at the right time, comparing their situation to leaving an "abusive marriage."

 Titus Khamala asked Raila to intervene and restore order, warning that the party is split and that favouring one team would alienate the other faction. Muhanda confirmed that the eight MPs supporting Nabii do not recognise Barasa as chairman.

 However, ODM Western regional coordinator and former Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito said the elections were valid because the Nabii camp boycotted the process, and he insisted that the party remains strong.

 He argued that the MPs had lost touch with the masses, whereas the delegates still represent the will of the people. Kizito urged those who feel aggrieved to use the party's internal structures to air their concerns.

 Political commentator Martin Andati said the MPs' actions confirmed they were merely biding their time in ODM. He warned that the party is weakening in Western Kenya and that the two factions will only exacerbate this decline.

 "The delegates could be still in ODM, but the masses have left," he said, predicting that other parties would try to fill the void.

 Andati noted that the split was evident a month ago when the seven MPs opposed to Barasa boycotted a forum attended by Raila.

 He believes it will be difficult for Raila to broker a truce, as neither Nabii nor Barasa is likely to agree to be a deputy to the other.