ODM divisions emerge at Raila memorial as leaders clash over 2027

The simmering political rivalry between Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa came into sharp focus on Friday as ODM leaders marked the first anniversary of Raila Odinga’s death, with divisions over the party’s future exposed by fierce attacks on former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

The commemorative event at Bukhungu Stadium laid bare widening differences over ODM’s leadership, its relationship with President William Ruto’s administration and who should inherit Raila’s political support ahead of the 2027 General Election.

While Barasa and his allies defended cooperation with the government and accused unnamed leaders of undermining ODM’s unity, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula and Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe turned their criticism on Uhuru, questioning his ability to influence the opposition after failing to secure victory for Raila in the 2022 presidential election.

Junet also took aim at Sifuna’s presidential ambitions, questioning whether the Nairobi senator had the political experience to seek the country’s top seat when ODM had struggled for decades to capture the presidency.

The meeting brought together ODM national chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Junet, Barasa, Mugabe, Butere MP Tindi Mwale and Savula.

However, the absence of Oparanya and several leaders associated with him fuelled speculation about the deepening rivalry between the two camps in Kakamega.

Other notable absentees included Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda, Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, Khwisero MP Miradi Aseka and Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali.

The divisions emerged days after Oparanya hosted Raila Odinga Junior and members of the Jokawour Council of Elders at his home in Mambole, Butere. The elders called for unity between the Luo and Luhya communities and urged Oparanya to work with ODM leader Oburu Oginga to preserve Raila’s political legacy.

The visit fuelled speculation about Oparanya’s role in the party’s succession politics and his influence over ODM’s direction ahead of the next election.

At Bukhungu, Barasa appeared to take aim at leaders drawing Raila’s children into internal party disputes, urging them to respect the family’s desire for peace.

“Leave Winnie and Junior alone because they want peace. I do not want to cause Mama Ida stress because ODM recognises that Baba was a man who loved peace,” Barasa said.

The governor maintained that ODM remained united in Kakamega and defended the party’s cooperation with Ruto’s administration, arguing that the arrangement was consistent with Raila’s commitment to national unity and development.

Barasa cited ongoing development projects, including roads, markets, hospitals and the expansion of Bukhungu Stadium, as evidence that cooperation with the government could deliver benefits to the region.

His remarks highlighted the political divide between leaders supporting continued cooperation with Ruto and those advocating a more confrontational opposition stance ahead of the 2027 elections.

Barasa received backing from Mugabe, who praised him for strengthening ODM’s presence in Kakamega through the establishment of party offices and the financing of party activities.

“Governor Fernandes Barasa has held ODM together in Kakamega. He has opened offices in every constituency and finances all party activities here,” Mugabe said.

Mugabe accused unnamed leaders of claiming to defend ODM while engaging in activities that undermine its unity. He also criticised Uhuru over his role in the 2022 presidential election, questioning why the former president had failed to secure victory for Raila despite being in power.

Junet reinforced the criticism, questioning whether Uhuru could help opposition leaders win elections after failing to deliver victory for Raila in 2022.

“If Uhuru Kenyatta failed to secure the presidency for Baba when he was in power, can he really help someone win now that he has retired?” Junet posed.

The Suna East MP also challenged Sifuna’s presidential ambitions, arguing that ODM had spent decades pursuing the presidency without success and that aspiring candidates needed to appreciate the scale of the challenge.

Junet questioned how someone who had been in politics for a relatively short period could expect to lead the country when ODM had struggled for about 40 years to capture the presidency.

His remarks appeared to  target growing calls within sections of the opposition for Sifuna to seek the presidency, adding another dimension to the debate over ODM’s future leadership.

Junet further insisted that ODM would not return to the opposition, defending its cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration and urging members who had left the party to return.

Wanga also defended the broad-based arrangement, saying it reflected Raila’s longstanding commitment to national unity and inclusive development.

The Homa Bay governor praised Barasa for organising the commemoration and called on the party to remain focused on Raila’s legacy rather than allow internal disputes to weaken its structures.

However, the calls for unity were accompanied by concerns over party nominations and the possibility of divisions deepening as politicians position themselves for the 2027 elections.

Mwale warned against alleged threats involving ODM nomination tickets, insisting that the party must conduct free, fair and transparent primaries to avoid alienating members.

The Butere MP defended Barasa’s leadership and criticised opposition figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, reflecting widening political differences over ODM’s relationship with the government.

Savula went further, proposing a political alliance between Western and Nyanza that would transfer the support Raila commanded to Ruto in the 2027 presidential election.

The deputy governor argued that the region should build on Raila’s political legacy by supporting Ruto’s re-election while positioning Western Kenya for greater political influence in subsequent electoral contests.

“In the spirit of Raila Amolo Odinga, Barasa is ready to win a second term. In the same spirit, William Samoei Ruto should secure a second term,” Savula said.

He also criticised Uhuru, adding to the attacks on the former president by leaders defending the broad-based arrangement and calling for continued cooperation with the government.

The remarks placed the Kakamega commemoration at the centre of the wider national debate over who will inherit Raila’s political support and how ODM will approach the 2027 elections.

While leaders at Bukhungu invoked Raila’s legacy to justify their positions, their speeches revealed contrasting interpretations of his political philosophy, particularly on cooperation with the government, opposition politics and who should lead the party.

With the next General Election approaching, the emerging contest is likely to test ODM’s ability to maintain unity in Western Kenya, where leaders are divided over political alliances, succession and the best strategy for translating Raila’s support into electoral influence.

The Bukhungu event, intended to honour the late opposition leader, therefore became a platform for political positioning, exposing competing interests that could shape ODM’s future and its relationship with the government.