By Anderson Ojwang
Last Sunday, it was a cat-and-mouse game in Kakamega County for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga.
Dr Oburu found himself in a delicate balancing act and, to save face, he juggled between two parallel rallies in the county. It was a litmus test for the party leader over the handling of two rival camps claiming county party leadership.
In this balancing act, Oburu was forced to attend two parallel ODM delegates’ rallies in the county. One was organized by Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and his allies, led by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, who claims the county chairmanship. This rally was held at Mabole Primary School grounds in Butere Sub-county.
From Butere, Oburu proceeded to Kakamega town, where Governor Ferdinand Barasa was holding a parallel delegates’ meeting at Linda Grounds.
Interestingly, Oparanya accompanied Oburu to the venue but left immediately before the Siaya Senator could introduce him to the crowd.
When Oburu spoke in Kakamega, he said, “I was invited to Butere and I went to eat breakfast. But when I reached there, I found people saying they were the bona fide delegates.
We spoke and addressed them because, rightly, they are our people. I was with Oparanya. Can you see him around so that we can resolve this matter? Is Oparanya around? He left by chopper.
We want one Kakamega. I have spoken with Chairman Barasa. He has no problem and he wants a united Kakamega,” he said.
However, Oparanya later posted on his X handle, “I was honored to host the ODM party leader, Senator Dr Oburu Oginga, alongside other national leaders, during an ODM delegates’ consultative forum held at Mabole Primary School grounds in Butere Sub-county, Kakamega County.
The consultative forum brought together party leadership and delegates for open engagement, reflection, and dialogue on issues that matter to the people and the future of inclusive development.”
Busia Governor Dr Paul Otuoma, when he took to the podium, went straight to the issue of county party leadership, stating that Governor Barasa was the duly recognized party chairman.
“The chairman of Kakamega County ODM is Governor Ferdinand Barasa. You can see we have the party’s Executive Director, Mr Oduor Ong’wen, Deputy Party Leader Kisii Governor Simba Arati, Director of Elections Mr Junet Mohammed, and the party National Chairman, Governor Gladys Wanga. This makes it clear who the party chairman is,” he said.
Otuoma said he had contested for the Busia County chairmanship and was taken to the party tribunal and court, but he remains the chairman.
“In Kakamega, I have not heard of any complaints lodged to the party tribunal or court. Which problem does Kakamega have? The ODM chairman is Barasa.
If there is any dispute, it should be in Busia. The party tribunal and court ruled against me, but I am still the party chairman.
You have no problem. There is no complaint lodged with the party. I do not know what this noise is all about. In Kakamega, I went to the party to ask if there was any complaint and I was told there was none.
The party organs are clear. Any dispute launched will be handled within 72 hours,” he said.
Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang downplayed the Oparanya wing, saying, “In Butere, we went to drink tea. ODM is like a beautiful girl whom men fight over. That is why we have the fight in Kakamega.
Today, we have come to meet the delegates under the leadership of Barasa.”
Junet Mohammed declared that according to records at the party elections board, Barasa was the Kakamega County ODM chairman.
“I want to clarify on behalf of the party. I am the ODM Director of Elections. In the ODM books, the chairman is Ferdinand Barasa. That is the position. I know there is a dispute, but it will be listened to,” he said.
He added that the matter was discussed at the party’s Central Committee and resolved in favor of Barasa.
“Those on the other side are also ODM members. They are our people. We must run the party from the true position. This matter was discussed in the Central Committee and it was resolved that the elections board had declared Barasa as the chairman,” he said.
Simba Arati was firmer, declaring that Barasa was the county chairman and that the matter should be laid to rest.
“Chairman, I came here and, as Deputy Party Leader, we will not allow confusion in the party. The Governor is the party chairman. There are no dissenting voices. We must have discipline in the party.
For the residents of Kakamega, under your chairmanship, Governor Barasa, you must ensure the party is united,” he said.
With the fallout in ODM over the pre-election pact with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Kakamega County leadership remains a key litmus test for Oburu’s leadership acumen.
