The race to replace former ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna is gathering momentum, with several senior party figures emerging as possible successors.
Sifuna’s removal was approved by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties on July 9, ending an almost eight-month legal battle.
The Nairobi senator has indicated they are on the verge of unveiling their 2027 political vehicle.
Multiple party insiders, however, told the Star that discussions have intensified over who should take up the influential administrative position.
Some of the names being floated within ODM circles as possible replacements include acting secretary general Catherine Omanyo, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma and National Assembly Minority leader Junet Mohamed.
The contest came at a delicate time for ODM as it seeks to rebuild its structures, stem internal divisions and maintain its national footprint amid growing political realignments ahead of the general election.
Omanyo, who has been serving in an acting capacity since Sifuna's exit, has received backing from a section of Western leaders who argue the region should retain the powerful office.
Her backers contend that confirming her would reward continuity while also recognising Western's growing influence within the party.
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera and his Homa Bay Town counterpart Opondo Kaluma vouched for Omanyo, underscoring the need to retain the position within the Western bloc.
“Sifuna was replaced by Omanyo when he absconded from his duties. Omanyo is an even stronger secretary general," Kaluma told the Star.
"The position of SG is not vacant; it has a very capable leader in Omanyo and all ODM leaders should support her.”
According to Nabii, Western will lay a strong claim to the position in the spirit of fairness and regional balance.
“ODM is an inclusive party. The position of secretary general has traditionally been held by the Western bloc of ODM, which is a major wing. You know the Western bloc has a lot of support for the ODM party,” the Lugari MP said.
“It will be in order to retain the position in the region, and I believe there are competent people who can hold it. The acting SG is one of those competent people.”
“Assuming they want to change that position, they have to replace it with another substantive person. We in Western are claiming that position.”
The acting secretary general has also publicly expressed her willingness to continue serving in the role, urging the party leadership to formally confirm her appointment.
“The registrar confirmed we followed the right procedure in removing Sifuna. That chapter is now closed. Now I am asking the party to confirm me as the substantive secretary general,” Omanyo said.
Her supporters argue she has demonstrated her ability to steer the party secretariat during a difficult transition period and would provide stability as ODM reorganises.
However, not everyone agrees that the position should be reserved for any particular region.
Otiende told the Star the secretary general's office is a national position and should not be ring-fenced for any region.
Instead, the Rarieda lawmaker said the party should settle on the most qualified candidate capable of strengthening ODM's national appeal.
“The position of SG is not an exclusive preserve of any region, just like the positions of Party Leader and national chairperson. We, in ODM, are everywhere across this country and anyone endorsed by the delegates can become party leader, just as Oburu has been endorsed as party leader and I have been endorsed as the vice chair,” Otiende said.
“We have had instances in history where both the chairperson and the secretary general have come from the same region, including the party leader.”
“In my view, the consideration is not tribe. The consideration is ability, and the people to make that determination are the delegates who remain in the mainstream ODM.”
His position has resonated with sections of the party that believe ODM must project itself as a national movement rather than allocate top offices on the basis of regional interests.
Wajir South MP Adow Mohamed said Sifuna’s replacement should be someone with national clout who is able to maintain the party's national outlook.
He is one of ODM's elected MPs from Northeastern.
“In my opinion, I believe whoever becomes the secretary general should have a national outlook. It should be somebody with gravitas, a good political record and someone who embraces the idea of unity and inclusion in this country,” Adow said.
“Only such a person would be able to take the helm as secretary general of the ODM party. ODM is a national party.”
Otiende is regarded as one of the party's strongest legal and ideological minds, a seasoned constitutional lawyer and vocal defender of ODM's reform agenda.
He is seen by supporters as capable of providing intellectual leadership while sharpening the party's policy direction.
Another name attracting attention is Junet, one of ODM's most experienced political strategists.
Although he has not publicly declared interest in the post, party insiders say some influential figures see him as a possible candidate because of his extensive experience in party organisation, parliamentary leadership and coalition negotiations.
“Junet is beyond being a secretary general,” Kaluma, however, said.
Junet's close working relationship with the party hierarchy and his reputation as an effective political mobiliser are viewed as assets that could help ODM navigate the increasingly competitive political environment.
Also on the list of possible replacements is Otuoma, a seasoned lawmaker now serving his first term as governor after being elected in 2022.
He has been a long-term ODM loyalist from the vote-rich Western bloc and is one of the founding members of the Orange party.
Before the latest succession debate gathered pace, there had also been quiet discussions within the party about persuading former Sports CS Ababu Namwamba to return and reclaim the office.
He served as ODM's second secretary general before falling out with the party and later joining rival political formations.
Although the proposal generated interest in some quarters because of Namwamba's organisational experience and national profile, the idea appears to have lost momentum as the party focuses on leaders who have remained within ODM.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The unfolding succession battle is expected to test the party's ability to manage competing regional and political interests while preserving unity at a time when it is battling internal turbulence and repositioning itself for the 2027 elections. How the party resolves the contest could shape not only its internal cohesion but also its strategy as it seeks to remain a dominant force in Kenya's opposition politics.
