Raila Calls for Critical ODM Meeting Amid Leadership Wrangles

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga faces a delicate balancing act as he prepares to chair a crucial meeting on August 9.

The meeting, to be held by the Central Management Committee, aims to address the growing disquiet within the party over the allocation of top leadership positions. The ODM party finds itself in leadership wrangles as influential stalwarts vie for the positions vacated by Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, who were appointed Cabinet Secretaries for Mining and Blue Economy, and Cooperatives and SMEs Development, respectively. The exit of these two deputies has sparked intense competition among party members, raising fears of a potential fallout within the party's ranks.

Raila, who is also campaigning for a continental job, must navigate this complex situation and satisfy the demands of his key allies. The party's loyal support bases, particularly in Western Kenya and the Coast, are engaged in fierce battles for influential leadership positions. Governors Simba Arati (Kisii), Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa), and Gideon Mung'aro are aggressively pushing for the two top ODM positions, further complicating the matter. During a meeting with Kisii and Nyamira MPs, Raila reportedly dismissed Arati's bid for a deputy party leader position, citing the need to maintain regional balance.

Instead, Raila is keen on ensuring that the seats are taken up by politicians from Western Kenya and the Coast, where Oparanya and Joho hail from. Reports suggest that the seats have been reserved for Nassir and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, a move aimed at ensuring the stability of the party based on an agreed regional formula. The stakes are high, as the positions of deputy party leaders hold immense influence, not only as the second in the pecking order but also in the battle for party nomination tickets. Those in office typically have an upper hand in securing these tickets, making the positions highly coveted.