ODM, which was formed in 2005 following the failed
Referendum on the Constitution, is planning a series of events to mark its 20th
birthday.
The party has appointed several committees
to plan the fate that will culminate in a major meeting in the first week of
October.
The party nearly won the Presidency just
two years after it was formed, but the victory was denied over claims of rigging
by the incumbent Mwai Kibaki, sparking Kenya’s election-related violence in
2007/08 that claimed over 1,500 lives and displaced over 500,000 people.
Even with the challenges, ODM has emerged
as one of the most organised political parties in the country with grassroots
support, especially in Nyanza, Western, Nairobi, and the Coast regions.
However, ODM’s grip on the country’s political
atmosphere is now threatened by emerging extreme camps within its ranks.
Members of Parliament (MPS) from either
Senate or the National Assembly and Governors elected on the party ticket have come
out to express strong sentiments on ODM’s stand on national matters.
The bone of contention is the party’s
support from the Broad-Based Government following a formal signing of the Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) between ODM and President William Ruto’s UDA.
ODM, being a member of Azimio Alliance, can’t
enter into a new alliance with UDA as the law requires them to exit an existing coalition
before signing another one.
There are, however, indications that ODM
will formally sign a pre-election deal with Ruto and UDA ahead of the 2027 election, going by public sentiments made by Raila’s insiders, led by his elder brother
and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga.
There are now three camps in ODM, with the
first team being a pro-Broad-Based government, an anti-Broad-Based government, and moderates who have neither spoken against
nor in support of the Ruto-Raila pact.
The pro-Broad-Based deal team is led by Oburu, Minority
Leader Junet Mohamed (Suna East), Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, Alego Usonga MP
Samuel Atandi, Makadara’s George Aladwa, Dagorreti North’s Bearice Elachi,
Christopher Aseka (Khwisero) and Jared Okello (Nyando).
The anti-Broad-Based deal team appears to coalesce around
a new movement christened ‘Kenya Moja’ and is mostly made up of youthful leaders
led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who is also ODM secretary general.
Other vocal MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi East),
Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Caleb Amisi (Saboti), Obadia
Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Danile Manduku (Nyaribari
Masaba) and Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula).
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and his Nyamira counterpart Okongo Omogeni, Borabu MP Patrick Osero are also key anti-Broad-Based government MPs but
who are not necessarily in the Kenya Moja movement.
“There are several anti-Broad-Based government members in our group
who include MPs and Governors. Some of them have chosen not to speak due to
strategic reasons, but in due time they will come out,” Kibagendi said.
Kibagendi said the developments in his party
can only mean that ODM is eventually cracking and will not be as strong in the
next election as it has been in the past four general elections.
Siaya Governor James Orengo was one of the
vocal voices against ODM’s move to work with Ruto and UDA, but he has since gone
slow on his criticism, while his Homa Bay counterpart Gladys Wanga is one of the
key pillars of Broad-Based government.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati, who is also the
Deputy Party Leader and Kakamega’s Fernandez Barasa are among Raila’s men who
have affirmed support for his alliance with Ruto.
MP Aladwa says the pact with UDA has the
support of the party, including its organs such as the Central Management Committee, citing
recent resolutions on the same, while insisting that differences in opinion don’t
mean the party is disintegrating.
“I support the position taken by the party
organs in declaring its commitment to the Broad-Based government. There could be no mistake in
salvaging the country at a time anarchy and instability was knocking on our
door. We reaffirm our support for the party leader,” Aladwa, who is also ODM Nairobi
chairman, stated.
Among the moderates include Senators Stewart
Madzayo (Kilifi), Jones Mwaruma (Taita Taveta), Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga), MP Kakuta
Maimai (Kajiado East), Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani), Geoffrey Odanga (Matayos),
Joseph Oyula (Butula), Caroli Omondi (Suba South) and Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands).
