By Sandra Blessing

The battle for the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat went a notch higher after Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga told his boss, Governor Gladys Wanga, that she is a one-term governor and a failure.

The deputy governor said Wanga has failed to manage the county and that the county is in shambles, incapable of paying contractors and securing basic necessities for the daily running of offices.

Magwanga told Wanga that she is an ungrateful person to the people who helped her become governor in the 2022 general elections and that her time is up.

“Wanga is a one-term governor and her time is up. I sacrificed for you to be the governor, but you are a very ungrateful person. Now it is time for payback,” he said.

But when Wanga was contacted for an interview, she did not pick her calls or respond to our text messages.

The lobbying and President Uhuru factor in the 2022 elections

Magwanga claimed Wanga had to seek the intervention of Mama Ngina Kenyatta, then President Uhuru Kenyatta, Charity Ngilu, Martha Karua, Fred Matiang’i, and Francis Atwoli, among others, who arm-twisted Raila Odinga to endorse her candidacy.

He said Ngilu and Karua coined the gender issue that made Raila force gubernatorial aspirants to step down in her favour.

“It is unfortunate that when Raila died, at his burial she never recognised those who supported her to become the governor. She never mentioned them at the burial, and that spoke volumes,” he said.

Wanga’s memo to Magwanga

Wanga and Magwanga’s fallout began immediately after the elections, with the governor pushing her deputy to the periphery of management and refusing to honour the memorandum of understanding (MOU) they signed before Raila.

In 2023, Wanga went ahead to serve Magwanga with a memo to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against him over a donor project, for which the coordinator was responsible.

“The Governor knew very well about the chicken breeding project, sponsored by NAGRIP, and I told her that we inherited the project from the previous regime when it already had its own problems and procedures.
She needed to ask the coordinator, but instead, being malicious, she gave me a memo. That was very disrespectful. This was meant to demean my person, and she got the best reply,” he said.

Deputy Governor’s office remains closed

Magwanga’s office has remained closed since the fallout last year, after Wanga relieved him of his duties as CEC for Agriculture and Livestock Development.

“My office still remains closed, and my staff have no access to it. What kind of management is this? You cannot close a public office to deny the holder access. This is a violation of the Constitution. But it is just a matter of time before the people of Homa Bay lock you out through the ballot. Your time is up, and you are going home,” he said.

“This was a calculated political power play aimed directly at undermining my office and obstructing the functions of county governance. We must remember that no individual holds a public office as personal property. These offices are held temporarily on behalf of the people,” he added.

CEC changes

Magwanga said the decision by Wanga to sack CEC Dr Peter Ogalo, who was in charge of Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development, and to nominate Joseph Mitito as his replacement was an abuse of the MOU they signed and a direct assault on him.

Ogalo recently obtained a court order restraining the governor from filling the post until the matter is concluded.

Magwanga said by sacking Dr Peter Ogalo, Wanga had reneged on a pre-election pact they signed before the late Raila Odinga and that she was using the absence of the former Prime Minister to dishonour the agreement.

“It is me who brought Ogalo to the Cabinet. Sacking him without any consultation or reason is a direct affront to me. Let’s see how this will end,” he said.

On her X handle, Wanga wrote: “Official announcement: We’ve made changes to the membership of the County Executive Committee, effective immediately. This restructuring initiates a new phase of focused administration for our county.”

The explosion

The battle between Wanga and Magwanga exploded during the Kasipul by-election, where the former campaigned for ODM candidate Boyd Were, who defeated independent candidate Philip Aroko.

Last year, Wanga admitted there was a split in her government and promised to crack the whip on those who do not want to work but speak badly about her administration while serving in it.

Speaking at a funeral in Homa Bay, Wanga said she was adequately prepared to face her opponents for the gubernatorial seat in 2027, in what she termed a “battle royal.”

Wanga asked those who are not happy with her administration to pack and go so that she can bring in new people.

“To chieng’ ma owinjo ni sirkal rach ma ok onyal tiyo, to ogwe tawo oweyo mondo jakanyada machielo bedi. Mano e kaka gini timore. Koso jo Kanyada orumo ma nyalo tiyo.”
(If they are not happy with the government, let them resign and leave so that we can bring in new people from Kanyada who can work with me.)

By Anderson Ojwang

The chicken may finally be coming home to roost, and the truth behind the brainchild of the formation of the broad-based arrangements is beginning to unravel.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Dr Oburu Odinga, chose the home of his grandfather, Kodima, in Alego, to respond to his critics over the delicate management of the broad-based arrangement, which was between President William Ruto of UDA and the late Raila Amolo Odinga of ODM.

During the ODM celebrations held last November in Mombasa, Winnie called for the National Delegates Conference (NDC) to choose a new team to manage the broad-based arrangement with President William Ruto.

“There is something I wanted to tell you. When it came to the matter of the broad-based government, the people of ODM entrusted one person with the management of that relationship. That person was Baba Raila Amolo Odinga.
That relationship is complicated, and therefore we are looking and wondering: those who are taking it upon themselves to manage it now, are they capable of managing that relationship?
I don’t think that is the question for me to answer. That is the question for the people of ODM to answer. That is why the party leader is requesting that we go back to the people and have an NDC to see who the people want to pick to manage that same relationship,” she said.

The Chairman

But on Friday, Oburu opened the lid of the can by declaring that he has been the one chairing all the broad-based meetings between Raila and Ruto, which probably makes him the brainchild and the chief negotiator of the arrangement.

“Those who are saying that Oburu is not validly elected, I challenge them. If they say it is the NDC, let us go with them to the NDC, and I will call it very soon,” he said.

Oburu said he is the one who has been chairing all the broad-based arrangements between Ruto and the late Raila.

“Those who are saying Oburu does not talk are talking nonsense. In this broad-based arrangement, I want to assure those who are saying that it was only Raila who could handle it and that Oburu does not know anything about it.
I want to tell them that all the meetings of the broad-based arrangements with Ruto, the chairman has been Oburu Odinga before you here today,” he said.

How Oburu presided over the broad-based Cabinet appointments

Dr Oburu revealed that the meeting which culminated in the appointment of ODM experts into President Ruto’s Cabinet was chaired by him.

He negotiated for the Cabinet slots and the 14 Permanent Secretary positions.

“I have been the chairman of the meetings, including the one which appointed Opiyo Wandayi, John Mbadi, and Hassan Joho to the Cabinet.
I want to tell you that we currently have 14 Permanent Secretaries in this government, as well as directors. We got into this government by accident because the government was shaken by Gen Z,” he said.

Establishment of a team to negotiate with UDA for 2027

Dr Oburu said ODM will form a team to negotiate with President Ruto on new coalition alliance terms. He said the first preference will be given to President Ruto.

“Now, as we approach 2027, we are not going to get into government through the back door. We are going to have a negotiated arrangement, which will be headed by me.
It will not be an easy negotiation but a tough one. We will get our share. 2026 is the year of negotiations for any arrangements.
Either we go into partnership with UDA or any other party.
We will soon establish a negotiation team and start negotiating with others because it is difficult for a party to go it alone without seeking the support of other parties.
The negotiations will start with our current partners in the broad-based arrangement. We shall only go to the others if we do not agree,” he said.

The catch and the way out

As Dr Oburu prepares to unveil the team, will he be leading a faction in a divided house, or will he accommodate dissenting voices, harmonise, and unite the party before engaging in the negotiations?

During Raila’s posthumous birthday, his wife, Mama Ida Odinga, asked the party leadership not to kill the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

She asked the party leadership to prioritise dialogue over wrangles to avoid disintegration and to preserve Raila’s legacy.

“It is my wish that we can preserve the party in his honour as a matter of service to our country. I want to appeal to those Baba left in the leadership of the party to reflect deeply and sincerely on his dreams for the party and for our country,” she said.

Ida said Raila always consulted on party matters, and this provided room to find solutions to any emerging disputes in the party.

“Baba had a love for ODM. Baba ran ODM with dedication, firm and fair hands. Raila ran ODM on the principle of constant consultations and always referring to the people,” she said.

Ida challenged the current leaders in the party to give dialogue a chance and follow Raila’s footsteps in resolving disputes within the party.

“Let us solve the problems of the party by always asking ourselves: what would Baba do under these circumstances?
I guess your guess is as good as mine. I am sure Baba would tell us to sit down and talk, and that is my wish—to sit down and talk out our differences,” she said.

By Anderson Ojwang

The battle for the Siaya gubernatorial seat has taken shape after Deputy Governor Dr William Oduol Denge declared his candidature for the seat in the 2027 General Election.

Oduol, in a move to reclaim his 2013 dream of Siaya Manyien, declared his interest during interdenominational prayers attended by over 3,000 pastors and bishops drawn from across the county.

“Today, the 2013 Siaya Manyien is reactivated, and I declare my candidature for the Siaya gubernatorial seat. My candidature was blessed by the bishops and the priests, and I am confident of winning the election,” he said in an interview.

Oduol said the 2022 manifesto of Governor James Orengo was largely his idea and that he wants to implement it in 2027 when he is elected as the third governor of Siaya.

“Today, I was honoured to host interdenominational prayers at my home, led by independent churches from various wards, as we committed the New Year to God and sought guidance for the journey ahead.”

Oduol declared his gubernatorial interest on an ODM ticket and aligned himself with the wing of the broad-based government headed by the party leader, Dr Oburu Odinga.

“On this occasion, I also took the opportunity to declare my intention to vie for the position of governor in 2027 on an ODM ticket,” he said.

Oduol said that at the appropriate time, he would present himself for nomination alongside other interested candidates, in the true spirit of democracy within the party.

“I remain a strong supporter of the broad-based government arrangement, which I firmly believe offers the surest path to unity, stability, and meaningful transformation for the great people of Siaya,” he said.

He took a swipe at Orengo, saying Siaya County needs a governance expert — a proven administrator capable of delivering rapid, people-centred transformation — and not political activists.

“I am confident that together, we can make this dream a reality. We are firmly on course towards realising the dream of Siaya Manyien,” he said.

Oduol has been the county’s forgotten deputy governor, pushed to the periphery by the powers that be at the county government. He survived an impeachment, and the Orengo administration effectively banished him from government, although he enjoys massive support across the county.

Despite his contribution to the election victory, Oduol has remained an unwanted man, scorned and disliked at the county government for his alleged anti-corruption crusade and a fallout with Orengo.

For the second time in his political career, Oduol became a victim of political power after he was denied victory in the 2013 Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nomination for the governor’s seat. The party leadership opted to award the certificate to the little-known Cornel Rasanga Amoth, who went on to serve for two terms.

Rasanga won the contested gubernatorial election, but his victory was short-lived after the Kisumu High Court nullified the results. In the repeat election, Rasanga won again, while Oduol took a political break in 2017.

However, in the 2022 General Election, ODM and Orengo recruited Oduol into their camp and made him the running mate, a move that catapulted them to victory.

After the election, a fallout between Orengo and Oduol emerged over alleged corruption in the administration and other malpractices. The Siaya County Assembly passed a motion to impeach Oduol, but the Senate rescued him from the jaws of his political enemies, giving him a new lease of life.

“The office of the deputy governor has been completely disabled. All staff have been directed not to communicate with or take instructions from the DG. The DG is not invited to cabinet meetings, and his benefits and allowances have been withdrawn, including fuel for his official county vehicle,” Oduol said.

Oduol said his attempts to reconcile with Orengo had been rebuffed, forcing him to take a back seat and observe from the sidelines.

“I have made many attempts to reach out to Orengo without any success. I have decided to take a back seat, but I am happy that I have been vindicated. All the MPs from Siaya have raised the same issues I raised in 2022 — over lack of leadership, graft, lethargy and a hands-off management style, among many others,” he said.

By Erick Otieno

The race for the Migori governor’s seat has taken a new turn after Suna West MP Peter Masara received an endorsement from elders.

The endorsement was made by the Suna Suba Council of Elders, led by chairman Mr Riogi Riogi, during a bursary launch and distribution ceremony held at Piny Oyie DCC Grounds. The elders called on the Suna community to unite with other sub-counties across Migori County to rally behind Masara’s gubernatorial bid in the 2027 General Election.

“It is time for the Suna people to come together and work with other communities in Migori County to support Hon Peter Masara for the governor’s seat,” Mr Riogi said, adding that the MP possesses the leadership and experience required to steer the county forward.

The endorsement places Masara among other leaders eyeing the Migori governor position, including Uriri MP Hon Mark Nyamita, while incumbent Governor Dr Ochilo Ayacko is expected to defend his seat.

Addressing residents during the event, Masara urged politicians accused of causing divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to desist, noting that unity was key to strengthening the party.

“Those trying to divide ODM from within should stop and allow party officials and our party leader, Dr Oburu Odinga, to have an easy time strengthening the party for unity and development,” Masara said.

At the same event, the MP distributed KSh 33 million in bursaries, benefiting over 3,000 students from Suna West Constituency. He further revealed that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) had set aside additional funds to support pupils joining Grade 10.

“We have preserved funds under the CDF to ensure pupils transitioning to Grade 10 receive bursaries and continue with their education without interruption,” he stated.

Masara assured Suna West residents that his gubernatorial ambition would not derail service delivery, pledging continued focus on development.

“I will continue serving the people of Suna West as their Member of Parliament, and all development projects in the pipeline will be fully implemented without failure,” he affirmed.

The endorsement by the elders is expected to significantly boost Masara’s political standing as Migori County gears up for the 2027 General Election.

By Anderson Ojwang

The famous proverb, better late than never, aptly captures the moment the current Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Dr Oburu Odinga, finds himself in.

For Dr Oburu, it is a dream come true that has transformed him from a backbencher into the new Sheriff in town and one of the most powerful figures in Kenya today.

After decades of living in obscurity, away from the trappings of power and playing second fiddle to his younger brother, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, the Siaya Senator only tasted and smelt power from a distance.

For Oburu, despite the trappings of power residing at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s home, he only smelt it from a distance at his brother’s parlour.

While Raila enjoyed the trappings of power both locally and internationally, Oburu struggled to carve himself a niche but gradually fell down the pecking order, even as new entrants found their way into politics and overtook him.

Dr Oburu has finally walked out of the shadows of his younger brother, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, the enigma of Kenyan politics, to become the Sheriff.

Dr Oburu is fitting perfectly into Raila’s footsteps and, yesterday, in what can be seen as a sign of his growing political clout and significance in the broad-based government arrangement, he was visited by a delegation of Principal Secretaries — a move that speaks volumes.

During his lifetime at his Capitol Hill office, Raila used to receive delegations one after another from top government officials, including Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries, with the queue seemingly unending.

Oburu, currently the ODM lead representative in the broad-based government arrangement just like his younger brother, has now started receiving senior government delegations.

The delegations that had earlier visited Dr Oburu to pay condolences to the family following the deaths of Raila and Beryl Odinga were just the tip of the iceberg, signalling Oburu’s emerging influence and how delegations may soon snake to his office.

Dr Oburu wrote on his X handle:

“Principal Secretaries Pay Courtesy Call on Hon. Sen. Dr Oburu Oginga, EGH, MP, ODM Party Leader

This morning, I received a delegation of Principal Secretaries who paid a courtesy call at my office in my capacity as the ODM Party Leader.

The delegation expressed solidarity with the Odinga family following the recent passing of Baba, Rt Hon Raila Amolo Odinga, CGH, and Beryl Odinga.

The delegation also joined our family in commemorating Baba’s 81st birthday, a moment of reflection and remembrance.

I sincerely thanked the Principal Secretaries for their thoughtful gesture and used the opportunity to offer counsel on the importance of diligence, accountability and effective service delivery in the execution of their respective mandates, in service to the people of Kenya.

Present were:
Dr Ouma Oluga — Principal Secretary, Health
Judy Pareno — Principal Secretary, Justice, Human Rights & Constitutional Affairs
Stephen Isaboke, EBS — Principal Secretary, Broadcasting & Telecommunications
Carren Agengo — Principal Secretary, Children Services
Dr Caroline Karugu — Principal Secretary, East African Community
Prof Shaukat Abdulrazak — Principal Secretary, Science, Research and Innovation
Cyrell Odede — Principal Secretary, Public Investment
Aden Millah — Principal Secretary, Maritime Affairs
Michael Lenasalon — Principal Secretary, Devolution
Dr Bonface Makokha — Principal Secretary, Economic Planning
Regina Ombam — Principal Secretary, Trade.”

On Wednesday, the ODM Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, who has been at the centre of a storm over an alleged plot to kick him out of the party, visited Oburu, who declared confidence in him.

On Thursday, the party’s Director of Elections, Junet Mohammed, leading the faction that wants Sifuna disciplined, also visited Oburu.

Sifuna recently accused Junet of having misappropriated the 2022 presidential campaign funds meant for agents, an act he claimed cost Raila the presidency.

Junet denied the allegations and instead blamed former President Uhuru Kenyatta for disbursing the funds to his brother, Muhoho Kenyatta.

Oburu has undergone a complete transformation and is currently clad in designer outfits and frequently uses helicopters to attend functions and parties that were previously the preserve of Raila.

At present, Oburu is the centre of attraction and the focal point of political activity, as he enjoys the ear and confidence of President William Ruto.

In him, President Ruto hopes that, for a second time, he will deliver the Luo vote in 2027, after successfully ushering his younger brother, Raila, into the broad-based government arrangement.

Oburu has firmly settled into the party leadership position and is not ready to relinquish the post any time soon.

“I am not going to be shaken and will sit squarely in the seat of the ODM party leader.

Anybody who thinks that Oburu Odinga is about to die or that Oburu Odinga is leaving soon is seriously mistaken.

I am the same age as Trump, the President of the USA. Trump is also 82 years of age, just like me,”he said.

By Anderson Ojwang

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Chairperson Gladys Wanga and the party Director of Elections could be the first casualties in the post–Raila Amolo Odinga realignment.

In a move aimed at stabilising and ending the wrangles and divisions in the party, plans to sacrifice the two close allies of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga are said to be in top gear and could be effected sooner than expected.

After acrimonious and tumultuous moments that have rocked the party following the demise of the party leader, sources have revealed to The Western Insight that various high-level meetings have agreed to stem the fallout and possible death of the party by restructuring its leadership.

Insiders told Western Insight that Wanga, the Homa Bay Governor, is likely to be replaced by Kisii Governor Simba Arati, who is the Deputy Party Leader.

Wanga and Arati were recently on a joint campaign to meet ODM delegates in the North Rift, in a move believed to be strategic in positioning themselves for party leadership ahead of the future National Delegates Conference.

Arati is, however, likely to be replaced by Winnie Odinga, the last-born daughter of Raila, in a move aimed at bringing youth into leadership and creating generational continuity.

Junet’s post as Director of Elections is likely to go to the Coast region or Nairobi in a new power arrangement matrix. Several names have been proposed for the powerful post.

Insiders also revealed that Wanga and Junet could be sacrificed to ensure the party remains cohesive and to avoid any fallout.

The insiders further said that some members of the party hierarchy were unhappy with the manner in which the 2022 presidential campaigns were handled by the Secretary General of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition, Junet, who was recently accused by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna of having squandered agents’ funds meant for Central Kenya.

However, Junet denied having misappropriated the agents’ funds and instead apportioned the blame to former President Uhuru Kenyatta for allegedly releasing the funds to his brother, Muhoho Kenyatta.

Yesterday, Junet visited party leader Oburu Odinga, with ODM posting on its X handle: “Minority Leader in the National Assembly Junet Mohamed this morning visited party leader Dr Oburu Odinga at his office in Nairobi. They deliberated on matters relating to the party, its growth, as well as the state of politics in the country.”

Last week, Makadara MP George Aladwa asked the party to appoint Winnie as one of the Deputy Party Leaders to represent Nairobi following the demise of Raila.

“Mimi nilikuwa nimependekeza hapo awali tukielekea NDC, kwa sababu Raila Odinga alikuwa delegate wa Nairobi, Winnie Odinga aingie hapo awe delegate wa Nairobi, na tupropose deputy party leaders wanne, Winnie akiwa mmoja wao, (I had proposed earlier, as we head to the NDC, that because Raila Odinga was a Nairobi delegate, Winnie Odinga should come in as a Nairobi delegate, and that we propose four deputy party leaders, with Winnie being one of them),” Aladwa said.

On Wednesday, Oburu held a discussion with Sifuna at his office, describing him 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.

“We are one. We are united as the ODM Party,” he added.

Mama Ida Odinga on Wednesday urged the party leadership not to kill ODM, but to prioritise dialogue over wrangles and to preserve Raila’s legacy.

“It is my wish that we can preserve the party in his honour as a matter of service to our country. I want to appeal to those Baba left in the leadership of the party to reflect deeply and sincerely on his dreams for the party and for our country,” she said.

Ida said Raila always consulted widely on party matters, which provided room to find solutions to any emerging disputes.

“Baba had a love for ODM. Baba ran ODM with dedication, firm and fair hands. Raila ran ODM on the principle of constant consultations and always referring to the people,” she said.

Ida challenged the current leaders in the party to give dialogue a chance and to follow Raila’s footsteps in resolving disputes within the party.

“Let us solve the problems of the party by always asking ourselves, what would Baba do under these circumstances?”

Recently, a section of ODM legislators, alarmed by self-cannibalisation within the party, requested Oburu to convene an urgent party meeting to contain what they termed a self-destruct situation.

The MPs, led by ODM Vice National Chairman Dr Otiende Amolo, said the wrangles within the party were worrying and amounted to a betrayal of the party’s founder and leader, the late Raila Odinga.

They said ODM was the largest party in the country and expressed concern over the spectacle of self-cannibalisation that has been exhibited of late.

“It is testament to how much we miss the wisdom and iconic leadership of our departed Rt Hon Raila Odinga that divisive rhetoric has taken over our politics without restraint,” read part of the statement.