After a group of young people and party officials pledged to conduct a parallel celebration to commemorate the party’s 20th anniversary in Busia today, a storm is brewing within former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM party.
The young people, who are important party stakeholders, are against Governor Paul Otuoma’s plan to move the festivities to Bukiri Market in Funyula Constituency, claiming they were not consulted.
A different faction of the party also wants Raila and the ODM leadership to respond to allegations that Secretary General Edwin Sifuna’s dismissal is being planned.
Senior ODM officials told The Standard on Thursday that the party leadership is eager to bring the party back into order and deal with the teething problems that are endangering the party’s reputation.
However, a group of young people and party leaders in Western promised to host a parallel event while the party’s mainstays completed the last preparations for the festivities.
The group, led by Moses Ouma, a youth leader in Busia, has declared that they would not travel to the event that will take place in Bukiri, the governor’s hometown, since they believe the county boss is trying to split the party in Busia.
The governor has been switching parties, according to another young person named Erick Were, who left ODM before rejoining the Orange party.
However, the 20th ODM anniversary celebrations will be held in Bukiri, Funyula Constituency, Busia County, according to a press release signed by Governor Fernandes Barasa, Kakamega ODM Chairman, Zebedee Osabwa, Vihiga ODM Chairman, Machani Mutoka, Chairman Bungoma, Caleb Amisi, ODM Chairman Trans Nzoia, and Godfrey Odongo, Busia ODM Secretary General, on February 26, 2025.
They are prepared to host the event, according to Governor Otuoma, who is also the chairman of the Taskforce Committee tasked with organizing the ODM at 20 event.
He went on to say that the gathering was organized long before their party leader announced his intention to run for chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Some ODM supporters in Bungoma County, meanwhile, have asked Raila to respond to reports that Sifuna would be ousted as the party’s secretary-general.
The allegations have caused controversy, especially among the party’s grassroots members, and are purportedly endorsed by Makadara MP George Aladwa. An enthusiastic ODM fan named Eric Njalale told the media in Bungoma that he was worried about “underground disagreements” within the party that would threaten its unity.
