By Anderson Ojwang
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) suffered a humiliating defeat in Kakamega County in the Kabras West ward by-election after the party candidate garnered a paltry 30 votes.
The ODM candidate, Edward Inzofu Indumli, came last in the by-election, which was won by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of President William Ruto with 3,381 votes.
Elphas Kainanga Shalaka won the by-election and was closely followed by Bramwel Wasike Mukhana of DCP, allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who received 2,592 votes.
Kakamega has been the political bedroom of the late Raila Amolo Odinga, and ODM has been the dominant party in the county.
With Raila’s death, UDA and President Ruto are gaining a foothold while ODM is experiencing diminishing returns and may be rendered a peripheral party ahead of next year’s General Election.
Currently, the party is embroiled in a power struggle pitting the faction aligned to party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga under Linda Ground—comprising National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, deputy party leaders Simba Arati and Abdulswamad Nassir, Director of Elections Junet Mohammed, among others—against the Linda Mwananchi faction.
The Linda Mwananchi faction comprises Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Deputy Party Leader Geoffrey Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, among others.
The humbling defeat of the ODM candidate is a wake-up call to Oburu’s wing over the dwindling fortunes of the party, 140 days after the death of its founder, Raila.
The Oburu faction has presided over political divisions in the county occasioned by disputes over party leadership.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa claims to be the party’s county chairman, while Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, who enjoys the support of Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, also lays claim to the position.
Last month, Oburu and his Linda Ground team were forced to attend two parallel rallies in the county. From Butere, Oburu proceeded to Kakamega, where Governor Barasa was holding a parallel Linda Ground delegates’ meeting.
Oburu said in Kakamega:
“I was invited to Butere, and I went to eat breakfast. But when I reached there, I found people saying they were the bona fide delegates.
We spoke and addressed them because rightly they are our people. I was with Oparanya—can you see him around so that we can resolve this matter? Is Oparanya around? He left by chopper.
We want one Kakamega. I have spoken with Chairman Barasa. He has no problem, and he wants a united Kakamega,” he said.
However, Oparanya posted on his X handle: “I was honored to host the ODM party leader, Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga, alongside other national leaders, during the ODM delegates’ consultative forum held at Mabole Primary School grounds in Butere Sub-County, Kakamega County.
The consultative forum brought together party leadership and delegates for open engagement, reflection, and dialogue on issues that matter to the people and the future of inclusive development.”
Junet declared that, according to records with the elections board, Barasa was the Kakamega County ODM chairman.
“I want to make a clarification on behalf of the party. In ODM, I am the Director of Elections. In the ODM books, the chairman is Ferdinand Barasa. That is the position. I know there is a dispute, but it will be listened to,” he said.
He added that the matter was discussed at the party’s Central Committee and resolved that Barasa was the chairman.
“Those on the other side are also ODM members. They are our people. We must run the party from the true position. This matter was discussed in the Central Committee, and it was resolved that the Elections Board had declared Barasa as the chairman,” he said.
The confusion could have played a major role in the ODM mauling and now leaves the party in limbo as UDA gains ground.
Last week, the Linda Mwananchi faction held a successful rally that was organic and marked a major turning point in the region’s politics.
Ahead of the meeting, President Ruto invited all elected MPs from the county for a consultative meeting, but none of them joined the meeting.
After successful Busia and Kitengela Linda Mwananchi tours and emerging pressure from Kakamega, the team comprising Siaya Governor James Orengo, Babu Owino, Caroli Omondi, Geoffrey Osotsi, Caleb Amisi, among others, yielded to the demand for what is billed as the mother of all rallies.
President Ruto, on his X handle, said he engaged MPs from Kakamega County at State House, Nairobi, on matters of development.
“Our discussions centered on accelerating development projects, including affordable housing, modern markets, road upgrades, the expansion of Kakamega Airport, completion of Bukhungu Stadium, and deepening access to electricity and water, among others.
We undertake to work with all leaders, irrespective of their political persuasions, to move our country forward and leave no one behind,” he wrote.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said the Linda Mwananchi tour is scheduled for Saturday and urged the Luhya community to turn up in large numbers.
He wrote on his X handle: “Mbale Town and Kakamega Town, mko tayari. Saturday, 21st February 2026. Kenya needs renaissance.”
On President Ruto’s meeting with MPs from the county, Amisi questioned whether the political pressure on President Ruto was increasing or decreasing.
