Pressure Barasa Odm Deputy Leader

A section of leaders within the ODM party are now pushing for Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa to be considered for the position of Deputy Party Leader.

The move could reshape the party’s leadership in the region ahead of the upcoming National Delegates Conference (NDC).

Led by the Kakamega County Assembly majority leader Philip Maina, the officials now want Deputy ODM leader Godfrey Osotsi to be replaced by Barasa.

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Maina said that Osotsi had drifted away from the party’s core ideals. Maina argued that Osotsi’s alignment with a parallel political movement that no longer subscribes to ODM principles makes his position untenable.

“You cannot hold a senior leadership position in ODM while at the same time associating with formations that undermine the party’s values and direction,” Maina said.

Maina argued that Governor Barasa, by virtue of his position as Kakamega ODM chairman and political standing in Kakamega, is best placed to take up the role and strengthen ODM’s presence in the region.

“Western Kenya remains a key pillar of ODM, and Governor Barasa has demonstrated leadership and commitment to the party, and he fits the bill,” he said.

While speaking at Rosterman in Kakamega on Saturday, March 21, Osotsi, who is the Vihiga senator, said he was ready for anything in ODM.

Osotsi said that he was aware that the party did not fire him alongside Secretary General Edwin Sifuna “because they feared chasing away two Luhyas at ago”.

Osotsi said that he told the party that he would leave the party if they kicked out Sifuna. Osotsi plays a critical role in the Linda Wananchi movement.

The push by allies of Barasa comes just days before the party convenes its National Delegates Conference (NDC), a crucial forum where major leadership decisions and policy directions are ratified.

On his part, Mumias Central MCA Ali Okomba said Barasa has demonstrated loyalty to the party and should be rewarded.

"Leadership must reflect loyalty and commitment to the party, and Governor Barasa has demonstrated exactly that by ensuring ODM remains visible in the whole county," Okomba said.

He added that it is important for the party to recognise his efforts ever since he was elected to serve as the ODM Chairperson for Kakamega County.

The Linda Ground and Linda Wananchi groupings of ODM continue to pull in different directions, with each angling to hold parallel NDCs.