Winnie’s bid for ODM top job in limbo as Western bigwigs jostle to replace axed Osotsi

Pushing the move were Nairobi ODM delegates led by Makadara MP George Aladwa.

Aladwa said consultations over the past two months culminated in the decision to front Winnie Odinga, citing the need to fill a leadership gap in the capital.

“We have had several meetings in the last two months to look for a representative. Every region has representation in the party. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga left us with no representative in the Nairobi region,” Aladwa said.

“We as 17 constituencies in Nairobi county have proposed to have our EALA lawmaker Winnie Odinga to represent us as deputy party leader,” he added.

Winnie’s prospects of becoming ODM’s deputy party leader are however hanging in the balance following emerging interests especially from Western bigwigs laying claim to the job.

A section of ODM leaders from Western Kenya is said to be quietly lobbying for one of their own to take up the position following the ejection of Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi’s position.

Osotsi was dropped during the recent Special Delegates Convention (SDC) after he failed to attend the meeting and no delegate proposed or seconded his nomination.

Osotsi hails from Western region.

The firebrand lawmaker has made it clear he will not contest his ‘removal’ in courts opening up the influential party position for contest.

“Although I have strong legal grounds to challenge the decision in court, I have made a conscious decision not to pursue litigation, choosing instead to dedicate my time and energy to advancing the true ideals of the party," Osotsis told the Star.

National Assembly Minority leader and ODM Secretary for Elections Junet Mohammed has indicated the party is planning a NEC meeting to settle on a replacement.

“We will soon convene as NEC to settle on a name before the nominee can be appointed by the National Governing Council (NGC),” Junet said adding that several individuals have shown interest for the seat.

Once the NEC and NGC approves the name, the party will then convene National Delegates Convention (NDC) to formally elect the nominee.

According to the ODM’s constitution, only the NDC has the constitutional mandate to elect the national office.

Among those seen as front runners are Governors Paul Otuoma (Busia) and Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega), both of whom are reportedly enjoying strong backing from influential figures in the region.

The jostling has complicated earlier plans by the ODM Nairobi branch, which had proposed Winnie Odinga for the deputy party leader position in a move seen as consolidating the Odinga family’s influence within the party.

The push by Western leaders is driven by a desire to secure regional balance and strengthen the party’s footing in its traditional support bases.

The leaders argue that awarding the position to one of their own would solidify ODM’s presence in Western Kenya and block rivals including the ODM rebel faction, Linda Mwanainchi, from penetrating the area.

The unfolding contest now threatens to derail Winnie’s elevation, even as observers caution that the party should close its ways to ethnic and regional consideration and uphold vibrancy.

Ex-political detainee and former ODM Director of Political Affairs and Strategy Wafula Buke warned the party against falling to regional balance and sacrificing what can work for the twenty-year-old political outfit.

“If we think about possibility of resurrecting the party then the best person they have is the person who will stand on the moral pillar of Raila Odinga, a person who will associate with liberal thinking and someone who has an organic connection with the young people, it does not matter that Winnie is a Luo,” Buke told the Star.

“Winnie is the best representation of architect for resurrections, because she has connection with the living organ of the party which is those younger people. They should not worry about the fact she is a Luo.”

“It looks nice to have Barasa or Otuoma but they don’t add any value to the party.”

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai said Barasa fits the bill as the party already has Catherine Omanyo acting as Secretary General.

Omanyo is from Busia where Governor Otuoma comes from.

“The fact that the Secretary General now comes from Busia, it will not be fair to take the seat to Busia, it will only be fair to take the seat to Kakamega,” Alai told the Star on phone.

“If you were to check the current front runners, Barasa is better. He has stood with the party and will be very rewarding to give it to Barasa.”

Political commentator Suba Churchill also agrees, saying the stars are aligned for Kakamega which currently has no representation in the national office.

“I think, of course, parties would want regional balance and ensure presence in all the counties. The focus for Western Kenya where Osotsi comes from is understandable within that regard,” Chrchill told the Star.

“I would, for purposes of fair distribution of the positions and in view of the fact that two of the most party officials are from Western - Osotsi is from Vihiga, Sifuna from Bungoma and  Omanyo from Busia - it will make a lot of sense to go with Barasa.”

“Stakes are higher in Kakamega given its population and being one of the strongholds of ODM party. If ODM wanted to Linda Ground then that interest is best observed if they gave it Barasa.”

The Star made efforts to reach out to both Otuoma and Barasa but they did not respond top our inquiries.

ODM leader Oburu Oginga is said to be at the centre of efforts to harmonise competing interests and avert a fallout that could expose cracks within the party.

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