By Prof Peter Okoth
The terms ‘Parasites‘ and ‘Warriors‘ were used in a panel discussion on Citizen TV’s Tuesday morning show to describe the emerging ODM leadership. The panellists included Barack Muluka, Nelson Havi, Professor Kivutha Kibwana, and one other panellist. The originator of the discussion was Nelson Havi, who, in his thoughts, tried to describe the emerging leadership scenarios in ODM. The Parasites were described as those who supported the status quo of remaining in the broad-based government because they were benefiting from the government of President William Samoei Ruto, whom they described as the host of the parasites. The Cabinet Secretaries and those supporting the broad-based government were considered the Parasites, while the Secretary-General and the Babu Owino and Caleb Hamisi faction were considered the Warriors. The Warriors were described as the futuristic political leadership of the party because they were antagonistic to the status quo and wanted a different approach in the party’s leadership and their relationship with President William Ruto. What a way of describing a political formation. It actually smells — but why?
In my view, ODM shouldn’t look far for its enemies. The panellists who supported this notion are some of them. The panellists in that discussion threw the arsenals that embers internal feuds within the party. It could have happened accidentally, but it is something that ODM must keenly look out for. Raila Odinga managed differences and different opinions very well. Bringing individuals with different mindsets and ambitions together and containing them on a focused course is something to admire. The problem for the party would come if those left behind are not strong enough to weather such storms or differences when they occur. A leader must learn and know when to push and when to retreat.
Remember that ODM was Baba’s political vehicle that brought together different parts of the country into a solid political support base. The question one should ask themselves is: what puts this support base together? Does the support base have any glue or interest that puts them together? I would argue yes. Historical exclusion, marginalisation, and underdevelopment are some of the shared interests.
In furtherance of this conversation, some of the original founders may not be in the party anymore, but many are still inside the party. We are all aware that Edwin Sifuna, the ODM Secretary-General, Babu Owino, and Caleb Hamisi do not support the broad-based government. That does not make them Warriors. They would appropriately be called internal different opinion holders because their party leader supported the idea of working together with the president to create stability and calm in the country. Secondly, the word ‘Parasites‘ is a misplaced terminology in a political discussion because its meaning is only connotative of eating without doing any work or providing any benefits to the host. Is this factual? No, it isn’t. It would be an incomplete discussion if we don’t point to the fact that the Cabinet Secretaries donated to the broad-based government by the ODM Party are working very hard in their dockets and giving the government very good services that it needs.
Furthermore, the creation of the broad-based government is supported by the party supporters and cannot be nuanced to belong to a few individuals who are fighting to be nurtured and sustained. The results obtained from their contributions so far are generally good for the country, and there is still room for improvement. Moreover, those donated to the broad-based government are also strong politicians with sufficient political appeal to lead the party into prosperity. Sometimes rebellion looks like the more attractive side in a political discourse. This should not always be considered a given truth. With critical analysis and evaluation, you might determine that it is the weaker part of the party’s leadership chain. The question that begs is: why did Raila join Ruto? Was it because he wasn’t aware that they had competed with President William Ruto? The answer is no. He knew and talked about the instability brought about by the Finance Bill of 2024 that triggered the Gen Z rebellion. The Gen Zs had legitimate questions and issues that must be addressed, and that is one of the reasons Baba joined William Samoei Ruto — to work out solutions. He even proposed the intergenerational conclave and moving Kenya to a first-world state. Several actions are already on the table, and that is what ODM should train its eyes on.
Let ODM work with the government to trigger more manufacturing and processing in order to generate more money and jobs for the ordinary Mwananchi. I think that is where Baba Raila Amolo Odinga was pointing and wanted to be part of. Any other script is a lie that must be quashed at all costs. It is good that the ODM Party, in its wisdom, decided that Dr Oburu Odinga be its interim party leader. Dr Oburu Odinga shall play the father figure that calms down the waters and helps put out the fire being lit in ODM by its enemies.
Being of a contra opinion is not bad in the party. It is the basis for engagement and furtherance of more coherent discussions that must be supported and allowed in the party. What is wrong is when those contra opinions are allowed to grow beyond party cohesion limits without them providing sufficient depth that supports growth and stability for the country. Furthermore, the party has organs that can further discuss any issues and build acceptable consensus for the party and its supporters. The supporters can also be consulted on specific issues for their input. Outcomes should always be a win-win for the party and the country at large.
In conclusion, ODM must be focused. It must allow freedom that enables any of its members with sufficient political ground support to eventually emerge as its leader. Politics is about winning people, and that is where the party’s strength lies. The alternative is collapse.
