According to sources, Ojienda’s engagement with President William Ruto is in retaliation against Raila Odinga, he claims Mr Odinga reneged on their secret MOU that the party was to support him for the Kisumu governorship after Anyang’ Nyongo’s second team ends in 2027, but it is now being said that immediately after the election, Raila started grooming Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor to succeed Anyang’, this did not go down well with Mr Ojienda
Details are now emerging as to why the Executive Committee of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ratified the suspension of its five lawmakers. The MPs, Felix Odiwour alias Jalang’o of Lang’ata, Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, and Gideon Ochanda of Bondo constituency, faced accusations of having defied the party’s position on various matters.
The process of expelling party-elected and nominated lawmakers is arduous and lengthy, the MPs are likely to pursue justice up to the Supreme Court. We have, however, gathered that since ODM is aware that they may not succeed in having the seats declared vacant as to occasion by-elections; the party is just but sending warning signals that come 2027, the five will not be considered for nomination on the party’s ticket.
Analysts say their potential replacements have already been identified, and ODM will soon start popularizing the favoured candidates. Sources say that in Langata, the possible replacement for Jalango is Winnie Odinga, now serving as a member of the East African Legislative Assembly in Arusha. This is not the first time Winnie’s name has featured prominently in relation to contesting for the Lang’ata constituency seat. In 2022, she was expected to contest but due to political interests at the time, she was forced to withdraw in support of Jalang’o.
With Jalang’o now out of ODM’s 2027 political equation, Winnie is sure to win the ODM nominations and could come face-to-face against Jalango, who is expected to defend the seat on the UDA party ticket. The battle between Jalang’o and Winnie in Lanagata will likely be a titanic battle that is not easy to predict as of now.
In Bondo, several names are being mentioned as possible replacements for the expelled MP, Gideon Ochanda. The most prominent is that of Jaoko Oburu son of Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Odinga. Jaoko was a County Executive Committee Member for Roads and Public Works in Siaya County in former Governor Cornel Rasanga’s administration. He currently serves as the Coordinator of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization in Governor James Orengo’s administration.
In 2022, Jaoko announced his interest in the Langata seat but dropped out when it emerged that he could not beat Jalango for the ODM nomination. As for Bondo, with the support of his uncle, ODM leader Raila Odinga and Oburu, he will easily defeat current MP Gideon Ochanda, who is likely to defend the seat on the UDA party ticket. Other names being mentioned as possible replacements for Mr Ochando include that of Andiwo Obondo.
In Gem Constituency, Elisha Odhiambo has in the past declared that he will not defend his seat on the ODM ticket, word is rife that he will join UDA. Raila Odinga’s cousin Jalang’o Midiwo is being mentioned as a possible successor. Jalang’o Midiwo contested against ODM candidate Odhiambo in 2022 and lost. He is now commissioner of the Revenue Allocation Commission.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, who has also cut links with ODM, has told his supporters that he will not defend his seat on the party’s ticket, sources say he may run as Independent or move to UDA and could face ODM chairman John Mbadi.
Before the 2022 general elections, Mbadi announced his interest in the Homa-Bay governorship but had to withdraw in favour of Gladys Wanga, he was nominated to the National Assembly by ODM. Last week, Mbadi publicly announced that he would run for his former seat in the 2027 elections. Caroli Omondi has however warned him to prepare for the battle of his life.
In Kisumu, Senator Tom Ojienda has also declared that he will not defend his seat on the ODM ticket. Mr Ojienda was originally slated to contest for the governorship against Nyong’o, but Raila reportedly made him an offer, which he agreed to. He then focused his energies on the Senatorial race in 2022 and won. According to sources, Ojienda’s engagement with President William Ruto is in retaliation against Raila Odinga, he claims Mr Odinga reneged on their secret MOU that the party was to support him for the Kisumu governorship after Anyang’ Nyongo’s second team ends in 2027, but it is now being said that immediately after the election, Raila started grooming Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor to succeed Anyang’, this did not go down well with Mr Ojienda.
