ODM Summons Kakamega Governor and Assembly Leadership Over Row

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has taken a decisive step to address ongoing disputes within Kakamega County Assembly by summoning Governor Fernandes Barasa, County Assembly Speaker James Namatsi, and former Majority Leader Philip Maina. This move comes in response to a series of internal conflicts that have stalled key decisions and led to dissatisfaction among party members.

According to ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the party’s Central Management Committee is discontented with the current state of affairs within the Kakamega County Assembly. Sifuna highlighted that the frustrations primarily stem from the failure of Barasa, Namatsi, and Maina to implement a party decision to replace Maina with Geoffrey Ondiro as the new Majority Leader. The ODM has accused these officials of deliberately obstructing the transition and thereby undermining party directives.

The conflict began when a petition was filed by ODM Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to the party’s Central Management Committee. The MCAs raised concerns about the reorganization of assembly committees under Maina’s leadership. They alleged that the reshuffling was carried out improperly and was biased against members perceived as unsupportive of the governor. According to the petitioners, the changes violated established procedures and excluded necessary consultations with coalition partners.

Sifuna emphasized that the party’s directive, which designated Geoffrey Ondiro as the Majority Leader, had not been honored. “The party insists that forthwith, the speaker must implement its directives and, further, that all purported changes to committee membership/leadership be and are hereby revoked,” Sifuna declared. This ultimatum underscores the ODM’s stance on adhering to its internal decisions and ensuring that party policies are implemented effectively.

Kongoni MCA Robert Makhanu supported the petitioners’ stance, arguing that the process for reorganizing assembly leadership was flawed. He pointed out that coalition parties should have been consulted in the formation of new leadership lists, which would then be forwarded to the assembly for further action. This lack of consultation, Makhanu suggested, was a major reason behind the petition to the party.

Governor Fernandes Barasa, on his part, has expressed his concerns about the ODM’s decision-making process. He argued that the party did not consult him, despite his role as the Kakamega ODM Chairman, before making changes to the Majority Leader position. Barasa described the party’s actions as interference in the operations of the county assembly, highlighting a possible disconnect between the ODM’s leadership and local governance structures.

The situation in Kakamega reflects broader tensions within the ODM regarding party discipline and leadership dynamics. By summoning Barasa, Namatsi, and Maina, the ODM leadership aims to address these issues directly and restore order within the county assembly. The party’s decision to intervene underscores its commitment to maintaining control over its members and ensuring that its directives are followed without obstruction.

As the summoned officials await further instructions, the ODM’s move is expected to either resolve the leadership disputes or escalate the conflict, depending on how the involved parties respond. The outcome of this intervention will be crucial in determining the future of the ODM’s influence in Kakamega and its ability to manage internal disagreements effectively.