The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is grappling with internal divisions in Kakamega, barely three months after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The rifts were evident today in Kakamega County, where two rival ODM factions held parallel meetings, each claiming legitimacy.
One faction, led by Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, held a delegates’ meeting in Mabole, Butere, attended by ODM party leader Dr Oburu Odinga.
At the same time, a rival group allied to Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa convened a separate meeting in Kakamega town.
Addressing supporters, Dr Oburu Odinga pledged, together with Oparanya, to reunite the party and restore unity in Kakamega, saying ODM’s strength lies with its grassroots supporters.
In addition, ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga called for dialogue among party leaders to resolve the internal wrangles.
Meanwhile, some ODM leaders in attendance among them Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali, Christopher Aseka of Khwisero and Nabii Nabwera (Lugari) urged the party to demand nothing less than the deputy party leader position in the ongoing ODM–UDA negotiations.
