Senator Oburu Odinga, elder brother of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, is facing increasing political pressure in Nyanza after long-serving Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) member and former Kasipul parliamentary aspirant, Newton Ogada, announced his intention to leave the party.
Ogada, a well-known philanthropist and respected community leader, expressed deep frustration over the chaotic ODM party primaries held on September 24. He described the primaries as violent, unfair, and a threat to democratic processes within the party.
During the primaries, Ogada claimed that his hospital was vandalised and several vehicles were destroyed. He estimated the total loss from the incident at over KSh 4 million. “The violence witnessed was not political competition but an assault on democracy,” Ogada said, accusing the party leadership of ignoring multiple reports he filed with both the police and party officials.
Source: facebook
The announcement has sparked discussions about the state of internal democracy within ODM and has raised questions about the party’s ability to manage its internal elections peacefully. Ogada’s decision to quit comes at a time when ODM is preparing for upcoming electoral contests in Nyanza, a key stronghold for the party.
Political analysts suggest that Ogada’s departure could weaken Senator Oburu Odinga’s influence in the region, as Ogada has long been a respected figure with significant grassroots support. Many are now watching closely to see if other party members might follow suit, potentially affecting ODM’s standing ahead of national and local elections.
In response to Ogada’s claims, ODM officials have not yet issued a formal statement, but the allegations of violence and mismanagement are likely to put pressure on the party leadership to address concerns about transparency and fairness in their electoral processes.
As the political tension grows in Nyanza, both Ogada’s exit and the concerns raised may have far-reaching implications for ODM, Senator Oburu Odinga, and the broader political landscape in the region.
