Oparanya dismisses Ababu wave, allays fears ODM has fallen
ODM party leader Raila Odinga, his deputy Wycliffe Oparanya and secretary general Ababu Namwamba during a past event. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who is also a deputy party leader, and his Busia counterpart Sospeter Ojaamong on Thursday allayed fears that the party was losing ground in the region, maintaining that it will sweep majority of seats in the next election.
- Matayos MP Godfrey Odanga and his Shinyalu counterpart Silvas Lisamula said the leadership of the party at the grassroots had been reactivated to recruit more members and strengthen the visibility of the party in all parts of the Western region.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has not been shaken in western Kenya, two senior party members from the region have said.
Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who is also a deputy party leader, and his Busia counterpart Sospeter Ojaamong on Thursday allayed fears that the party was losing ground in the region, maintaining that it will sweep majority of seats in the next election.
The two also downplayed the resignation of ODM secretary general Ababu Namwamba as well as Funyula MP Paul Otuoma as vice chairman.
Speaking after leading a meeting of leaders from Busia, Kakamega, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia, the governors said that the Western region still remains firmly in ODM.
Dr Otuoma met governor Oparanya shortly before the meeting at a Kakamega hotel.
His aide told the Nation that the two had a closed door meeting for about an hour.
The content of the meeting was not disclosed.
The governors affirmed their loyalty and unwavering support for ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“ODM is very strong in Kakamega county and the entire Western region. We are strong than we were in 2013,” said Mr Oparanya
Mr Ojaamong said the party is still intact in Busia County adding that no ward representative had defected.
“All MCAs are still in ODM including majority and minority leaders. No one defected with Mr Namwamba,” he said.
The two leaders spoke ahead of Mr Odinga’s tour of Western region expected to start on Monday.
Matayos MP Godfrey Odanga and his Shinyalu counterpart Silvas Lisamula said the leadership of the party at the grassroots had been reactivated to recruit more members and strengthen the visibility of the party in all parts of the Western region.
The Caucus assured locals that the party was committed to free and fair nominations ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
“We are confident that with a reformed electoral infrastructure, Mr Odinga will emerge victorious in the 2017 election,” said Mr Odanga.
The leaders resolved to mobilize locals to register as voters in large numbers and sensitise them to turn in large numbers to vote.
They appealed to residents of Western region to join the party leadership in welcoming and consulting with the party leader during his tour of the region next week.
