By Habil Onyango
Several leaders within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have taken different sides on the issue of zoning, especially in the party’s strongholds.
Many have expressed their views either supporting or opposing the agenda, which aims to prevent the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) from fielding their candidates in those strongholds in the 2027 general elections.
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo seems to have struck a nerve when she declared that she does not support the zoning agenda and urged that every party be allowed to field candidates anywhere across the country.
The zoning agenda is championed by ODM’s top leadership, led by Party leader Oburu Oginga and National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, who also serves as the Governor of Homa Bay.
ODM is currently divided into two factions: the Linda Ground team, which supports the Broad-Based Government and President William Ruto, led by Oburu and Wanga; and the Linda Mwananchi team, opposed to Ruto’s second term, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Senator James Orengo, and Embakasi legislator Babu Owino.
Millie has opposed the call for zoning, arguing that every party should be free to field candidates in any region, regardless of whether it is an ODM zone or not.
However, the call is seen by some as rooted in jealousy towards Wanga, who served as the Homa Bay Woman Representative for two terms before being elected as the second Governor of Homa Bay.
Millie accused some party leaders of sending “bloggers” to portray her as jealous of Wanga whenever she expresses a different opinion.
“I find it utterly amusing that when I express a view different from others in our party, then they send bloggers with a standard ‘you are jealous of Gladys Wanga’ comment,” she said.
“Other than the statement depicting intellectual deficiency, I wonder what you hope to achieve with it,” said the Minority Chief Whip in the National Assembly.
“If I am jealous of Wanga, and yet I am a superb leader, that is good. It shows that as a woman leader, she is doing exceedingly well — that’s a plus for women,” Millie added.
“Secondly, in your wildest dreams, you think I will not speak my mind just because you tell me I am jealous of Wanga? You’re joking,” Millie told those who oppose her views.
“I do not support zoning; let democracy prevail. We are in a Broad-Based Coalition with UDA. Let them field candidates anywhere. Let what we have achieved under our respective mandates be our defence,” Millie declared.
Millie, who will face former Raila’s Personal Assistant Silas Jakakimba of UDA for the Suba North parliamentary seat, created a hashtag #Iamjealousofwanga to use in her online posts.
However, Jakakimba said that the context of the zoning debate, as presented by his sister Millie, reflects her clear and seemingly irreconcilable differences with Wanga.
Jakakimba noted that Millie is playing it safe on one side, adding that the political terrain is unfavourable, which is why she is taking a hard stance against Wanga, knowing that the people of their constituency also oppose zoning.
“The ground ‘speaks’ a different language. Meanwhile, the context of the zoning debate presented by my sister Millie Mabona only reflects her outright and or seemingly irreconcilable differences with Wanga, ODM Chairperson, and she is also aware that the people of Suba North are opposed to the zoning agenda. Millie is playing safe on one side. The ground is not favourable, and she is playing it hard on Gladys. Dayat nyaka loki Suba North. The diet must be changed in Suba North 2027,” he said.
Tabitha Nyandiek, who vied for the Homa Bay Woman Representative seat in the last general elections, supported Millie’s sentiments.
According to Tabitha, whenever someone points out ODM or Homa Bay County’s failures, bloggers are unleashed to insult them.
She said that in 2022, she was physically attacked simply for saying that Wanga did not have enough experience to manage Homa Bay as governor. When someone speaks out, they are often labelled as jealous of Wanga.
“Millie Odhiambo has finally spoken out. Whenever someone points out the failures of ODM or Homa Bay County, bloggers are unleashed on you with insults,” she said.
