ODM was once the biggest political party in Kenya and only rivaled by South Africa’s ANC and Tanzania’s CCM across the entire continent. That was 2007.
The time the party was led by the famous pentagon, who were spread across the country. That year they were the majority in the national assembly and won the Presidential elections in six out of 8 provinces. Nobody really understands what happened after that.
But that was more than 10 years ago and a lot has happened since then, the once giant party is suffering from an identity crisis and has been reduced into a cash cow for Raila Odinga and a few cartels surrounding him.
The image of the party suffered a significant damage because of bungled nominations last year. The party was dishing out tickets to the person who dished out the most money. A case in point is that of Busia governor Sospeter Ojamoong.
They repeated the same when they awarded a direct ticket to Ochillo Ayacko, in the Migori Senatorial By election. Raila camped in the region for three days, drumming up support for Ayacko who was not popular.
ODM leaders had to brand, Eddy Oketch, Ayacko’s chief opponent, as a mole in the campaigns. In the end, less than 30% of the electorate turned out to vote. Even though Ayacko won, Eddy got more than 40% of the cast votes, a clear indication that people were tired with ODM’s dictatorship.
I was therefore surprised when a section of the party claimed that they’re confidence of Raila’s presidency
According to Nairobi ODM leaders, Raila is a sure bet for Presidency. Led by Nairobi ODM Vice Chairperson Ochieng Jare, they dismissed calls by a section of Jubilee politicians who want the Opposition leader to retire from local politics following his recent appointment to the African Union Commission.
“We are perturbed by continued politicisation of this appointment; no one ushered Raila Odinga into politics, so you cannot force him to quit. Odinga will continue to discharge his new role both locally and internationally and we are confident that he will be the President in 2022,” he said.
How can they say that when the party is losing the coastal region to William Ruto? How can they say that when the Nyanza region, the party’s backyard can vote for a mole?
I think this is pure trash.
Do you think Raila can beat Ruto in 2022?