By Anderson Ojwang

“Tunataka Pawa,” the common phrase in the Linda Ground of Dr Oburu Oginga, could have succeeded in the recent Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) special delegates conference (SDC) by getting confirmation into office.

But it was a tragic-comedy moment. Despite the success in outmatching and outsmarting the opponents, Linda Mwananchi, the victory was temporal.

For many, the SDC was a successful one, and power transitioned from the founding party leader, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, to his elder brother, Dr Oburu.

The confirmation of Dr Oburu as the party leader, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga as the National Chairperson, Governor Simba Arati and his counterpart Abdulsamad Nassir as the deputy party leaders, among other officials, was a milestone.

This was a step towards the realization of the pre-election coalition arrangement with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) against the opposition from Linda Mwananchi.

The power transition was presided over by retired Judge, Justice Stewart Madzayo, who handed over the instruments of power to the party leader, Dr Oburu.

ODM Director of Elections, Junet Mohammed, invited the judge to conduct the power transition from Raila to Dr Oburu, to mark a new dispensation.

Madzayo said: “I, Stewart Madzayo, today I give the instruments of power. Inside the bag are Kenya’s constitution and the ODM constitution. We give this to Dr Oburu as our leader.”

He also gave him a walking stick, a symbol of power, to Dr Oburu, the leader of ODM after taking over, marking a new reign.

But in the transition, one important document was missing: the ODM certificate. The single important document that defines party control and authority. This brings the question into play: who has the party certificate?

Is the party certificate with the Linda Ground faction or the Linda Mwananchi wing of the Secretary General Edwin Sifuna?

According to the ODM constitution, it spells out the function of the Secretary General as: “He or she shall be the Party Spokesperson and be responsible for the management of the National Secretariat and remain the principal custodian of Party records from grassroots to the national level. His/her responsibilities shall include: Be the depository and custodian of all Party documents including Party Seal, Minutes Register, instruments of intellectual property rights, instruments of registration, registration of all Party Branches and Party members’ register. vi) Corresponding and consulting with the Registrar.”

Recently, former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo said Linda Mwananchi indeed have the party certificate and challenged Linda Ground to display the document if they have it in their possession.

“Linda Mwananchi is our slogan. We have the ODM certificate, and they can only kill us to have it. Who has the certificate? We tell you we know who has it,” he said.

Ndolo said Linda Mwananchi have the certificate and challenged Linda Ground to produce the document if they truly have it.

“If they had the certificate, why didn’t they sack Sifuna from the party as the Secretary General? Let them sack him. Why did they sack Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and left Sifuna?” he asked.

Ndolo said Sifuna was the custodian of the ODM certificate in line with the constitution and not the Oburu wing, and this could be a salient and silent transfer of power.

Reserved Sifuna’s seat at the SDC

At the SDC, the ODM Linda Ground faction reserved the seat of the Secretary General, with Edwin Sifuna’s name, which confirms the power and authority he holds in the party.

Similarly, Sifuna continues to use the ODM vehicle designated to him by the party, which also illustrates the control and power he has over the Oburu wing.

In the Linda Mwananchi rallies, Sifuna continues to use the Secretary General’s vehicle, and Sifuna understands the game and is outfoxing his opponents in the other coalition.

Sifuna had previously dismissed any attempts to kick him out of the party, saying they have no capacity to eject him from the party.

Sifuna said a plot to remove him from the party was as a result of his opposition to a move by a section of party officials and members to support President William Ruto’s second term.

The changing tone by Oburu

Oburu previously said Sifuna was espousing the party’s position until the National Governing Council decided to sack him.

In a previous meeting, Oburu described Sifuna as espousing the party’s democratic ideals.

“I met with my friend, Senator Edwin Sifuna, the Secretary General of the ODM Party this morning. He remains a sober and principled voice, embodying the democratic ideals we believe in as a party,” he wrote on his X handle then, and added:

“We are one. We are united as the ODM Party. As a leader, I believe we must encourage everyone to speak their mind. Differences of opinion do not mean division. Great parties—like ODM—grow through robust debate and unique challenges,” he said then.

But recently, in a statement after the alleged sacking, it read in parts: “The Party National Executive Committee meeting in Mombasa today has resolved to relieve Secretary General Edwin Sifuna of his responsibilities with immediate effect. Effectively, Catherine Omanyo, who is one of the deputy secretaries general, will act in this position until a substantive holder of the office is elected.”

But this was thwarted after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal stayed the sacking and gave Sifuna a reprieve.

Recently, Wanga wrote a show-cause letter to Sifuna asking why he should not be disciplined, and he has returned to court once again to thwart the move.

ODM-K battle over certificate returns

History could be in the offing over the certificate which pitted Raila against Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka over the certificate of ODM-K.

Interestingly, Kalonzo upstaged Raila in the battle as the Secretary General Dan Mwanzo was the holder of the certificate.

Oburu could be witnessing a replay of the ODM-K battle recurring, and the big question is: does he have the muscle to wrestle it from the Linda Mwananchi faction?

By Anderson Ojwang’

For eons, misfortunes have shaped the political landscape by either catapulting or destroying the political career of various politicians globally.

In the last two months, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has undergone what can be termed as misfortunes which could either promote or diminish his political stature ahead of the 2027 general election.

Osotsi’s political misfortunes are ballooning into a national debate and are currently shaping the narrative within the political divide.

According to Siaya Governor James Orengo, Osotsi has been a very unfortunate person in the recent past.

“Osotsi and I were chased away from a press conference at a Kisumu hotel by over 500 youths. We had to sneak through an escape route to safety. Even before the dust settled, Osotsi escaped a plane accident after they crash-landed at Wilson Airport. Finally, while in Kisumu, he was attacked and left injured by goons over his political inclination. He has witnessed sad moments,” he said.

Politically, ODM recently sacked him as the deputy party leader during the recent special delegates conference in Nairobi, after he aligned with the Secretary General Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi faction.

Which political formation was ODM blaming for the attack?

The move by ODM to distance itself from the youths who attacked Osotsi and place the blame on a different political formation is likely to have far-reaching political implications not only in Nyanza but also in Western Kenya.

Currently, other opposition parties including Wiper, DCP, Jubilee among others have no serious ground in the region and have not visited the region for any political function.

ODM stated the youths have never been members of the party and in the previous regime were allied to the Jubilee Party and currently work for a different political formation.

“The reputation of the party should not be dragged into political thuggery and violence witnessed in Kisumu, and those involved should carry their own cross,” the statement read.

Nyanza has become a battleground between ODM and its partner, UDA, and by distancing itself, ODM is sending direct suspicion on which formation to blame.

Vihiga gubernatorial contest boost

Osotsi has declared his intent for the Vihiga gubernatorial race in the 2027 general elections. His attack in Kisumu resulted in demonstrations in Luanda and other parts of the county.

The attack has not only boosted his image but also enhanced his support from the ground. As a member of Linda Mwananchi, a faction in ODM opposed to the pre-election coalition with President William Ruto’s UDA party, which resulted in his sacking as deputy party leader of ODM in the recent convention, the Senator could be riding high from the misfortunes.

Vihiga, which has been an ODM stronghold, now holds no senior position in the ODM party, and Osotsi’s misfortunes may swing the county’s politics to his side.

The Luo-Luhya unity at stake

The Luhya and the Luo have for three decades developed a political unity, with ODM having the majority of elected leaders from the region.

The Luhya community has in past elections supported and voted for the late Raila Amolo Odinga overwhelmingly.

The fear from the Kisumu attack on Osotsi could have triggered a tribal backlash, but leaders from both regions have moved to calm the tension.

Osotsi said the attack was aimed at creating a political rift and tension between the two communities but has failed to achieve that objective.

Osotsi, in his press statement, said the incident should not be used to stigmatize the region as it was an isolated incident.

ODM said Kisumu is a peaceful city and the isolated case of thuggery should not be used to undermine investment.

ODM party also warned that anybody trying to drive a wedge between its members and the neighboring community over the incident must be called out, as it is far from the truth.

ODM said the unity between the Luo and Luhya communities has existed for decades and any attempts to bring division will be rejected at all cost.

The party’s Deputy Secretary General, Catherine Omanyo, appealed for calm among the two communities and the political leaders as the police carry out investigations.

She said ODM is united and any attempts to divide it through such machinations will not succeed.

“ODM allows and propagates freedom of speech and association. We are a democratic party and allow divergent views. Where we do not agree with them fully, we still respect their opinion in the spirit of freedom of association as embedded in the constitution,” she said.

Linda Mwananchi gain

The attack on Osotsi has perfectly been a gain for Linda Mwananchi in Kisumu and Western Kenya ahead of their soon-to-be-held political rally in the lake city.

Currently, Orengo has been enjoying a political moment in Kisumu, traversing the city streets addressing huge crowds, who are fast aligning with their political agenda.

Linda Ground is currently struggling in the region, and the attack on the Vihiga Senator has done more harm than good to its ratings in the region.

“I want to thank the people of Kisumu for the support they have shown to us. We are going to hold the mother of all rallies in Kisumu. We are going to field a presidential candidate, and we will not support President Ruto,” he said.

Similarly, the attack on Osotsi has impacted negatively on the previous gains made by President Ruto, and now the party must go back to re-engineer itself in the region.

With only 16 months to the general election, the Kisumu attack is likely to be one of the campaign agendas in the region and will be a double-edged sword as regional politics gain momentum.

By Anderson Ojwang

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa has described former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua as the latter heads to the constituency for a political engagement.

Ichung’wa, the Assembly Majority Leader and President William Ruto’s blue-eyed boy in Mt Kenya, will today, this Saturday, play host to a strange visitor, a political foe.

Kikuyu constituency will act as the battleground for a superiority contest between Ichung’wa and the self-declared king of the mountain, Gachagua.

Both leaders are breathing fire and ready for a showdown, with Gachagua warning Ichung’wa that tomorrow (today) he will be in Kikuyu.

“Tomorrow we will be in Kikuyu. Kasongo has allegedly given Ichung’wa money to cause chaos. We will not be cowed,” he vowed.

Gachagua picked a tirade with Ichung’wa from Nyandarua during the burial of the Ol Kalou MP, where he accused the Majority Leader of misleading the president and being responsible for the fallout.

He first wrote to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, alleging planned disruption of his rally in Kikuyu town by goons.

But Ichung’wa did not take it lying down either; he also wrote to the Inspector General of Police, Kanja, over what he termed as violent campaigns by Gachagua.

“The people of Kikuyu deserve adequate police protection. You should therefore ensure sufficient security presence to protect residents, their property, and businesses, and not fall into Gachagua’s trap of choreographed violence and destruction,” he wrote.

He accused the former DP of profiling security officers in the area and said his remarks were meant to cause chaos.

Separately in an interview, he referred to Gachagua as a bully who wants his way in everything, noting that the outburst of the outspoken Democracy for Citizens leader during the burial of former Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho shows that he is not fit for leadership.

“Gachagua is just a bully who believes he can bludgeon everyone into submission. He, however, knows my steel and imagines that if he manages to cow me, being the senior most MP from Mt. Kenya region and with a strong development record and a strong constituency support base, all the others will cower and follow him,” said Ichung’wa.

Ichung’wa said Gachagua’s hope is that if he succeeds in his intimidations, he would then have the numbers to further intimidate and blackmail President William Ruto.

“This is characteristic of his blackmailing tendencies, the same blackmail that ejected him from office,” added Ichung’wa.

Of all the leaders supporting Ruto’s reelection, it is Ichung’wa who seems to be irking Gachagua the most.

On Wednesday, Gachagua berated Ichung’wa as Ruto watched during the tense moment at the requiem mass of the late Ol Kalou MP. The enraged Gachagua spoke directly and without hesitation.

He reminded the president of past advice and blamed some of his current allies for political troubles in the Mt. Kenya region. He singled out Ichung’wa in remarks that quickly shifted the mood from mourning to open political contest.

“Nilikuambia kabla hatujakosana. Nilikuambia. Nikakuambia hawa vijana unatembea na hawa, watakuweka kwa shimo. Hawa kina Ichung’wa nilikuambia watakuweka kwa shimo,” Gachagua said.

He stood a few metres from Ruto as he spoke, marking their first time on the same platform since his exit from office. Gachagua went further and warned the president about the political cost of ignoring his earlier advice.

“Mimi nilikushauri rais nikakuambia hawa watu wa mlima hawapendi usaliti. I told you that betrayal is not forgiven among our people. You chose to listen to Kimani Ichung’wa. Sasa hii jamii imekukataa,” he added.

“Sasa huyu Ichung’wa alikuambia Riggy G atasahaulika baada ya wiki mbili, sasa ni miaka ngapi? Mr President, nakuomba ndugu yangu, you are my brother, tafadhali, tafuta amani na hii jamii. Tafuta amani na hii jamii. Usiskize hawa watoto.”

Ichung’wa in turn on Wednesday in Parliament led MPs in condemning Gachagua over his remarks, with legislators now calling for tougher laws against politicians who spread hate, especially during funerals.

“What I heard yesterday was outright tribal bigotry, someone pretending to speak on behalf of the President,” Ichung’wa stated.

Ichung’wa downplayed concerns over Gachagua’s planned visit to Kikuyu, saying all leaders are welcome, but warning against incitement.

“He says he’s coming to Kikuyu this Saturday, and we welcome everyone. What we reject is ferrying goons to loot businesses,” he noted.

Speaking in Laikipia, Gachagua stood by his remarks, insisting they were justified. He, however, expressed doubt that his complaints against Ichung’wa would be acted upon by the President.

“I lodged a complaint against Ichung’wa yesterday, but it felt pointless. I later asked myself, was I wasting my time?” Gachagua posed.

The battle of the mountain is shaping up as Gachagua versus Ichung’wa, with the latter playing the lead role in campaigning for President Ruto.