By Anderson Ojwang
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) turbulence in its bedrock of Luhya land is gaining momentum and could undermine it in the 2027 general elections.
ODM has for the last 20 years controlled the politics of Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia and parts of Bungoma counties where its party leader, former Prime minister Raila Odinga dictates the political terms.
In the last general election, Kakamega, Busia and Vihiga counties elected governors and majority of MPs on ODM ticket while Raila most of the presidential votes.
In Kakamega county, Raila received 70.33 percent of the presidential votes accounting for 357,825 against President William Ruto 27.65 percent which gave him 140,026 votes.
In Vihiga county, Raila got 61.53 percent accounting for 114, 714 votes against Ruto’s 36,28 percent, which gave him 67,633 votes while in Busia County Raila got 80.88 percent which gave him 226,317 against Ruto’s 17.45 percent accounting for 48,827 votes.
But the storm in the party in the region is causing panic and concern in its circles with emerging fall out in the local party leadership, failure to present a candidate for the Malava parliamentary by-election and possible defection from the party by a section of its leaders.
The battle over the leadership of ODM Kakamega county branch that pits governor Fernades Barasa against cabinet secretary Wycliff Oparanya wing led by MP Nabii Nabwire is exposing the party to a serious fall out.
Barasa said “Our party leader is Raila Amollo Odinga. Raila recognizes me as the party chairman. I want to say this with all due respect, those MPS who are being misused by CS, who is not happy with the appointment he was given.
Bwana CS, you were honored by the broad-based government to unite the people of Kakamega and the entire western but because you are not happy with the appointment, you send MPS to tell president Ruto that you wanted to be cabinet secretary for Finance.
Now the CS is using MPS to undermine and create chaos in the ODM party. I want to tell President Ruto to call his CS Oparanya to order.
This is because in Kakamega, we control the politics of the area, you cannot fly to Kakamega and attend a homecoming of someone who was never elected the party county chairman.
I want to tell Oparanya to avoid embarrassing himself. We know you are using MPs to achieve your personal interest. I want to tell Raila and Ruto to call the CS to order. He can’t be coming to Kakamega every day to create chaos.”
But Oparanya wrote in his X handle “This afternoon, I was honored to grace the homecoming ceremony of the newly elected ODM Chairperson- Kakamega County, Hon. Nabii Nabwera.
“The event, held at St. Emmaculate Heart Secondary School Grounds, Lugari Constituency, was also attended by MPs, MCAs, thousands of ODM supporters, among others.”
Earlier Barasa had also written in his X handle “Honored by the trust of ODM Kakamega delegates who have elected me as ODM Kakamega County Chairperson. Together, we now roll up our sleeves to strengthen our party ahead of 2027. Chama iko imara.”
The grappling in the party leadership has been worsening by a recent statement on Friday, September 12, 2025, where ODM advised its supporters to ignore reports that it had called for repeat elections.
“The National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) of the ODM party has not called for any repeat election of the party in Kakamega at the County Coordinating Committee level. Any information to the contrary is false and should be ignored, the party stated.
The party is yet to issue an official statement on the bona fide holder of the position.
Nabii also wrote in his Facebook page “Lugari MP Hon Nabii Nabwera had the great honor of hosting leaders, ardent ODM supporters, and residents of Kakamega County/ Lugari Constituency at St. Immaculate Heart Secondary School Grounds, Lugari for his homecoming as Lugari MP and newly elected ODM Kakamega County Chair.
The event was graced by his brother and mentor, CS for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Dr. FCPA Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, EGH and brought together leaders from across Kakamega, including Hon. Elsie Muhanda, Hon. Aseka Miradi of Khwisero, Hon.Benard Shinali of Ikolomani, Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe of Navakholo and Hon. Bishop Titus Khamala of Lurambi Constituency. Their presence was a true demonstration of unity and strength within the ODM Party.
Together, they underscored the urgent need to restore sanity and discipline in the party, affirming that acts of goonism have no place in ODM. It was also announced that next Thursday, all ODM MPs will officially receive their party certificates at the Party Headquarters a critical step in entrenching structures and cementing unity.
Hon Nabii Nabwera was humbled by the recognition he received for his service as a first-term MP. The calls from leaders and residents to rally behind me for re-election only strengthen my resolve to continue working diligently for the progress and prosperity of Lugari.
The message from gathering was clear and firm: ODM is stronger than ever, guided by structure, discipline, and unity. Kakamega is destined to reclaim its rightful place as the most powerful and respected county in Kenya.
Mr. Nabwera remains grateful to you, the people! His strength, his family, and his constant source of inspiration. Congratulations to us all. Together we move forward.”
Recently the party, through its western regional coordinator Justus Kizito said it will not present a candidate in the by-election saying this was in the spirit of coalition. In the last general election, the late Malulu Injendi of ANC won by with 22891, Seth Panyako of UDA came second with 20133 and ODM’s Joab Manyasi third with 11983.
Will Raila calm the storm that threatens to swallow his party in his political backyard, or will he preside over its downfall in the region?
