By Anderson Ojwang
The recently elected Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Migori branch office is a time bomb waiting to explode. If anything, it was an act of appeasement before the storm.
The window dressing through consensus building to elect the new Migori branch office may not hold for long, and the party could find itself back at the drawing board.
To appease the gubernatorial aspirants and Governor Ochillo Ayacko, the consensus building led by ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohammed settled on electing all the aspirants as branch officials.
The local party leaders agreed to adopt a consultative approach instead of a competitive vote, and this relegated non-elected leaders to the periphery of the branch leadership.
Governor Ayacko was endorsed and elected as the branch chairman, while his two main opponents, Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, was elected the treasurer, and Suna West MP Peter Masara was elected branch Secretary.
Interestingly, Masara and Ayacko have been engaged in a running battle in the county in the recent past and do not see eye to eye. Similarly, Nyamita has also emerged as the strongest challenger to the Ayacko regime and has declared his intent for the gubernatorial seat.
The election of the trio as branch officials also locks out any aspirant for the governor seat on the ODM ticket, going by the composition of the office.
The power play was also in place in the filling of the other seats. Ayacko’s deputy, Joseph Mahiri, the Migori Deputy Governor, was elected Deputy Secretary. Mahiri, from the vote-rich Kuria, will be checkmating Masara on behalf of Ayacko, his boss, as they prepare to defend the seat in the 2027 elections.
Nyamita was among the ODM MPs who faced the party disciplinary committee in 2023 for openly working with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) then announced a decision to expel five members.
The NEC, in a statement to newsrooms after a meeting chaired by the then party leader, the late Raila Odinga, and then National Chairman John Mbadi, said the decision was arrived at following the consideration of a report by the disciplinary committee which had been looking into the conduct of some members.
The five are Members of Parliament Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Felix Odiwuor ‘Jalang’o’ (Lang’ata), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda. They were accused of violating the party Constitution and the Political Parties Act 2011 by openly associating with and supporting activities of a rival political outfit, as well as opposing lawful decisions made by party organs.
The ODM party hence said they are “deemed to have resigned” and will now “commence the process of removing them from the register.”
Rongo MP Paul Abuor and Nyamita, who also faced similar allegations, were—on the other hand—fined Ksh 1 million each to be paid within 60 days. The party said the two lawmakers appeared before its disciplinary committee in person and explained reasons for their actions; they were further directed to offer a written apology to the party within 7 days.
In the new list of ODM branch officials, Abuor was missing; instead, Rongo constituency, through Jesse Ogolla, got the slot of the Youth Representative.
In a move to appease other constituencies, the sitting MPs were elected to the office, with Walter Owino (Awendo MP) elected as Organizing Secretary, while Tom Odege (Nyatike MP) was picked as Deputy Chairman.
The position for Persons Living with Disabilities Representative went to Dennitah Ghati, the former Migori Woman Representative. Also named were Mary Nchagwa as Assistant Treasurer and Mwita Maroa as Deputy Organizing Secretary.
Junet, who is also Suna East MP, defended the consensus model, saying it is anchored in the party constitution.
“The ODM constitution allows for consensus as a legitimate method of electing leaders. What we are witnessing today is a demonstration of unity and maturity within the party,” said Junet.
He urged leaders across Migori County to remain united and prioritize peace to foster development and strengthen the party ahead of future political engagements.
While Governor Ayacko called for unity in his acceptance speech, this could be a tall order going by the bitter political rivalry between him and his opponents.
“Elective and party positions can only be held by one person at a time. We must, therefore, unite behind ODM as we engage with other like-minded parties, including UDA, ahead of the 2027 General Election,” Ayacko said.
A recent standoff in Migori town between Ayacko and Masara plunged the town into violence and left six people shot.
Masara said then, “I will look for Ochillo Ayacko even in his bedroom. Whichever way, I must teach him a lesson. I don’t fear Ochillo. Let him come out and face me head-on. I am ready for the drama and unrest if that is what it will take me to see him out of that seat.”
But Ayacko responded by terming Masara a busybody, stating he will not engage him but will focus on delivering his mandate to the electorate.
“I won’t engage my opponents because I am a duly elected leader with responsibilities in my office. When campaign time comes, I’ll be out to show the electorate the developments I promised and delivered. I don’t have time for busybodies who have forgotten that they are still responsible for certain seats they are still sitting on while chasing mine.”
