ODM moves to solidify its grip on Western amid Ruto's onslaught

In about three weeks, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party will turn 20.

The opposition party has been in existence since 2005 when it was formed after a successful campaign to defeat proposed constitutional changes in a referendum.

Facing growing competition for its traditional bases, the party plans to show its might in Western Kenya, a region that has largely supported Raila’s four recent presidential bids.

Today, 10,000 delegates will converge at the Bukhungu stadium in Kakamega in a convention that will bring together the party’s leaders from Western Kenya, as Raila seeks to ring-fence his control of the region.

.

Keep Reading business

•  Why KQ and Airtel are on watchdog's radar over consumer rights violations Premium
•  Why fintechs have a duty to ensure positive social impact
•  Vivo defends Shell V-Power against poor quality claims
•  Truckers face mandatory use of planned Sh352b Mombasa-Nairobi Expressway Premium
•  Suez Canal disruptions cost Kenyan fresh produce exporters

The meeting is part of what the party dubs Triple A celebration, aimed at celebrating ODM’s 20th anniversary, its achievements and Raila’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position. ODM’s leadership views the AUC bid as a milestone, regardless of its outcome.

The celebrations will include a series of meetings, which will culminate in the anniversary celebrations on February 28 in Busia. The party will host a women’s prayer meeting in Nairobi tomorrow. Insiders said the events are aimed at solidifying ODM’s standing in the region.

But as it turns 20, ODM is at a crossroads over Raila’s association with President William Ruto. The party also faces an uncertain future as Raila seeks to exit local politics for continental assignments.

Factions have emerged within ODM, which Raila handed to Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o as the acting leader, over the “broad-based” government arrangement.

While some support a coalition between ODM and Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance, others oppose it. Politicians from Nyanza have seemed the most enthusiastic about the coalition.

Those opposing Ruto-Raila ties argue that ODM, the country’s second-largest party, must retain its identity as a “pro-people” and “pro-democracy” party. The counterargument has been that ODM has long been sidelined and it is their “turn to eat”, with some members saying that they had abandoned opposition duties.

The alliance has seen Ruto venture into Raila’s traditional bases. He recently spent a week in Western counties, dishing goodies in the form of pledges for development projects. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi were part of the tour.

Mudavadi highlighted Raila’s association with Ruto on several stops.

Western has attracted significant interest from political forces across the country. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua last week spoke to the region’s vernacular radio stations, urging the region’s unity.

“It is sad that a large community like the Mulembe Nation is settling for leftovers. Why should such a populous group rely on pity and generosity when it has the numbers to lead?” Gachagua posed.