Kakamega Demands Its Position in ODM leadership

By Wakhungu Andaje

As leadership wrangles continue to waver the giant orange democratic movement (ODM), leaders in Kakamega County have joined in the party to demand their position within the embattled party.

Led by its county ODM party chairman Fernandez Barasa, who doubles as the county governor issued a strong statement during the launch and distribution of farm inputs for the county farmers where he demanded that the county should claim and retain its deputy party leadership position as it has greatly contributed to the growth and strength of ODM.

Kakamega county ODM chairman Fernandez Barasa shares a light moment with ODM youth leader now party leader Obutu Odinga during the recent party's delegates conference.

The un wavered Barasa stated that the now cabinet secretary cooperatives Wycliffe Oparanya was the deputizing the late Raila Odinga on party matters and hence the position should be secured and handed back to the Mulembe people in order to win and retrain their loyalty towards the growth of the party. 

He reminded the party’s top organs that lest they forget, Kakamega heavily delivered to be awarded the position of deputy party leader and they were not ready to be shortchanged at all.

“Kakamega representation in the ODM party is not by proxy but by commitment and loyalty shown by our supporter in the last 2022 general election where we delivered 11 out of the 13 constituency legislative seats as well as securing 45 out of the total 60 ward positions in the county assembly, let no one even try of taking that away as the records speaks for themselves”, he thundered.

Barasa made it clear that Kakamega will only be ready to sit on the negotiating and planning table if it has been given its rightful position it used to hold in the party.

“We are in support of the party’s broad based agenda but to fully rally and support it to the latter we will need to have first secured our deputy party leader position as it is rightfully ours”, he added.

The county ODM chairman said it was time for the party to realize the sacrifices the Mulembe people have made to hold on and steer the party forward reminding them that the future of ODM in Kakamega solemnly lies in their decision making about the county retaining its position.

He called on the national leadership to make very wise decision if it wants the party to continue to attract more membership and thrive effectively amidst the ongoing squabbles about its involvement with the government of the day.

“Kakamega people have no problem of the party being in broad based government and our stand has been clear that we are supporting the calls for President William Ruto’s two term bid, but we will only barge if we are given what is ours for we have sacrificed a lot not only for the party but for Baba (Raila Odinga) to ascend to power and our efforts cannot be now just be discarded like that, let the national office recognize us by handing back our seat and we will rejuvenate our efforts to strengthen the party more”

He promised to marshal the Kakamega ODM supporters to demand their rightful position in the party cautioning those comparing Kakamega to Busia in terms of representation that they were wrong and that Busia should be contended with its secretary general position as their numbers did not match what Kakamega brought forth on the political table.