ODM fence sitters' herculean task as party insists on loyalty

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ODM lawmakers perceived to be rebels within the party in the Luo Nyanza region could face an uphill task defending their seats, with the party insisting that only politicians loyal to it will be awarded nomination tickets.

ODM is in a political cooperation arrangement with UDA and has maintained that it must be allowed to retain its political strongholds in the 2027 General Election.

ODM Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga recently promised free and fair nominations but insisted that loyalty to the party is a must as they work on an election agreement with UDA.

The party's position has raised questions over whether some MPs perceived to be disloyal to ODM will retain their seats or secure party tickets.

South Suba MP Caroli Omondi has already stated openly that he may not defend his seat on an ODM ticket because he leans towards the Linda Mwananchi faction.

On the other hand, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Adhiambo Odinga are among leaders whose positions on various political developments within ODM have raised questions about their loyalty.

Winnie Odinga, daughter of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has also not publicly declared which faction she supports, although sources indicate that she is eyeing a political seat in 2027.

Ms Odhiambo has announced that she intends to defend her parliamentary seat and is currently serving her fourth term.

She was a nominated MP between 2007 and 2013 before being elected as the MP for Suba North, then known as Mbita, in 2013.

She has emerged as a vocal critic of some developments within ODM, with many now questioning where her political loyalty lies.

Last week, while many ODM MPs avoided publicly condemning the violence that erupted in Homa Bay and stood with Homa Bay MP Opondo Kaluma over accusations of fueling the violence, Ms Odhiambo denounced the disruption of Linda Mwananchi meetings, saying such actions were undemocratic.

"I condemn incitement to violence and actual violence. I do not condone the ethnicization of politics. I urge respect for the rule of law.

"Brand me whatever you want, I will not sell my birthright for a piece of meal," said Ms Odhiambo.

The violence surrounding the Linda Mwananchi rally also exposed poor infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, leading to comparisons between parts of Homa Bay and Afghanistan or Yemen.

"Most of our roads are bad in Suba South and North. Let us stop cheating people by saying those are feeder roads and that the main roads were barricaded. We have been marginalized for years. Sugar-coating it by calling the bad roads feeder roads will stop the government from prioritizing these roads," added Ms Odhiambo.

On several occasions, Ms Odhiambo has made statements seen as lukewarm towards the party, suggesting that even though she supports President William Ruto's re-election, he might be elsewhere.

She has also frequently clashed politically with ODM chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, particularly over political issues in the county and party affairs.

However, Ms Odhiambo does not appear to face a formidable opponent within ODM in her constituency in 2027.

Former Raila Odinga personal assistant Silas Jakakimba has declared his interest in the seat, although he intends to contest on a UDA ticket.

Ms Ruth Adhiambo Odinga is also seeking the ODM nomination for the Kisumu governorship. She served as deputy governor between 2013 and 2017 before being elected Kisumu Woman Representative in 2022.

Ms Odinga, Raila's sister, too, has been viewed as lukewarm towards the party and has at times criticised the ODM leadership under her brother, Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga, leading to her being increasingly associated with the Linda Mwananchi faction.

Ms Odinga has repeatedly criticised the ODM leadership over the manner in which it handled the controversy surrounding Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

She was among leaders who opposed the way Mr Sifuna's matter was handled before he was eventually expelled from the party.

On the Homa Bay violence, Ms Odinga said it was unacceptable and contrary to the ideals championed by her late brother, Raila Odinga.

"I condemn, without reservation, the use of our young sons and daughters to propagate violent attacks in Homa Bay, in a bid to stop Linda Mwananchi from conducting their series of rallies," said Ms Odinga.

"I cannot help but see a dangerous pattern in Luo Nyanza, where a region whose sons and daughters paid the ultimate price for us to get democracy has turned around and is now being used to stifle the very democracy those before us fought so hard for. Who is keen on dividing us? Who stands to benefit?" she posed.

In her bid to secure the ODM ticket for the Kisumu governor's race, she will face Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron, Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, Kisumu East MP Rosa Buyu, Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor and Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathews Owili.

Mr Caroli Omondi, meanwhile, parted ways with ODM and has aligned himself with the Linda Mwananchi faction. A few months ago, he was elected chairperson of the Azimio coalition, from which ODM has since withdrawn.

The MP, who was first elected in 2022 on an ODM ticket, has made it clear that he has no intention of using the party to seek re-election and will continue aligning himself with the Linda Mwananchi faction.

In previous elections, candidates who won ODM nominations in Nyanza were almost assured of victory in the various seats they contested, benefiting greatly from the popularity of the late Raila Odinga.

ODM, however, now insists that under its political cooperation with UDA, it should be left to retain its political strongholds, although it has promised to conduct free and fair nominations.

Attention is therefore focused on the party leadership and whether it will award tickets to leaders whose loyalty is openly seen as lying elsewhere and who have been reluctant to take a firm position on key national and party issues.

According to political analyst Martin Andati, the developments within ODM show that the party faces a difficult task maintaining its popularity following Raila's death.

“Some of these MPs and other leaders now believe they can win seats without ODM, which is why they are now openly criticising the party, something that would have been difficult during Raila's time,” Mr Andati said.

"What stands out is that the party may not trust them with nomination tickets or support their opponents, but what will be their next political option?" he added.

Reporting originally appeared via Nation Africa. Read the full source for additional context.