Orange Democratic Party is facing a new war over its leadership with politicians from Nyanza region seeking new blood into the 18 years party.
Youthful leaders from across the vast Nyanza and Western regions are calling for change in the leadership with the majority calling for the retirement of party leader Raila Odinga.
Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo and his Suba South counterpart Caroli Omondi, Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor are demanding for change of party leadership, accusing some leaders of back-biting others to bring discomfort within the party.
Further, they are seeking Raila’s trusted lieutenants like Suna East MP and National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed to be stripped off leadership of the party.
According to them, leaders like Junet are the reason why Raila lost the 2022 General elections to President William Ruto claiming that they were the reason behind Raila's dismal performance in the August 9 presidential election.
Ms. Omondi referring Junet as an outsider of the region said that he undermines other leaders in the ODM party.
“Somebody (Junet) who has not gone to school cannot lead us in Parliament, even as Nyanza leaders we will not be led by an outsider,” Omondi said.
According to Odhiambo, ODM needs new leadership as the current one is already fatigued and not able to ran the business of the party to counter the growing popularity of president Ruto.
“We have realised the people who have been anchoring the party are now fatigued, we want a new spirit, energy; we want to set up a process that will see the party rebuilt, rebranded and revamped in readiness for 2027 elections,” Odhiambo said.
