ODM is mounting a three-day political offensive in Turkana in a move meant to hold its ground after Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai’s defection to the ruling UDA.
The Orange party brigade will pitch camp in the county from Friday to Sunday, combining Raila Odinga’s first-anniversary commemorations with an aggressive grassroots mobilisation drive.
The team is led by Deputy Party leaders Simba Arati and Abdulswamad Nassir as well as national chairperson Gladys Wanga.
The programme started on Friday with morning activities in Kataboi, followed by an afternoon rally in Lodwar.
The Orange team will then split on Sunday for church service in Kakuma and Turkana West as they conclude the three-day offensive.
Turkana South MP John Ariko welcome the team to the county declaring the region an ODM zone.
The ODM national vice chairperson also downplayed the defection of the current governor insisting the party remains strong in the county.
“We are happy to be here, Turkana was Baba’s stronghold. We want to remind Kenyans that Turkana is still an Orange county, ODM remains our party of choice.” Ariko said.
Lomorukai, who was elected on an ODM ticket in 2022, shifted his political base to UDA, dealing the opposition party a major blow in a county where it has sought to maintain a foothold ahead of the 2027 elections.
ODM’s decision to descend on Turkana with its senior leadership is therefore being seen as an attempt to demonstrate that the governor’s exit does not amount to a wholesale collapse of its support in the county.
Turkana North MP Paul Nabuin also dismissed Loomorukai’s exit as inconsequential saying ODM remains the dominant outfit in the county.
“Turkana county is an ODM stronghold, both governors of Turkana county have been elected through ODM party. That is why we are holding the final major rally to commemorate the one year anniversary of Raila Odinga’s memorial,” he told the Star.
Arati yesterday rallied ODM supporters to turn out in large numbers, declaring that the party remained strong as it prepared to take its mobilisation campaign to Turkana.
“On Friday the biggest party will be in Turkana, let us all meet there” Arati said.
The Turkana offensive comes against the backdrop of growing anxiety within ODM over defections and threats by politicians in different regions to abandon the party.
The party has already faced political turbulence in Kajiado, where Governor Joseph Lenku previously threatened to lead residents out of ODM over disagreements surrounding the party’s relationship with UDA aspirants.
ODM now faces the task of proving that its structures and support base are not dependent on individual office holders.
The Turkana events also form part of ODM’s wider “Mwezi wa Baba” programme, which has taken the party to different parts of the country to commemorate Raila while simultaneously re-energising its political machinery ahead of 2027.
