'If tired of ODM, just leave,' Osotsi tells rebel Western leaders

Vihiga Senator and ODM Deputy Party leader Gofdrey Osotsi has told ODM lawmakers from the Western region, trying to wreck the party from within, to leave in peace.

The Senator, while speaking in Hamisi Constituency, Vihiga County, broke his silence over the ongoing divisions in the ODM party by leaders from the region.

Osotsi faulted unnamed lawmakers and leaders, stating that most of them have benefited politically courtesy of the Orange party and yet they are sowing the seeds of division in the party, especially after the just concluded party elections in the region.

"I have never spoken about the crisis some people are trying to bring in ODM, but let me know talk about it. If you have benefited from the ODM Party and you are enjoying the goodies of the party, please leave us in peace if you have another agenda," said Osotsi.

He added, "We shall remain strong, unshaken, and we are not going anywhere because our party leader is Raila Odinga and we will follow him anywhere he tells us to go and do," said Osotsi.

Osotsi said that the party conducted its election successfully in Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Vihiga, and Kakamega counties, but some leaders are not satisfied with the outcomes.

"If there is anyone tired of ODM, he or she should come to the party to create disturbance and divisions within the party, just leave and go where your heart is. We have better leaders who can lead this party," said Osotsi.

He added, "We have done elections in Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Vihiga, and Kakamega, which were above board and successful, but we have some people who just want to bring divisions and crisis in the party for the best reasons known to them."

Osotsi said that ODM is a party that has fought for the rights of Kenyans, and it will continue with its principles even after saving President William Ruto's administration against revolt by the youthful generation.

"ODM has always stood by the people, and it will continue doing so. We even stabilise the sinking government, and we are working together for the best interest of our people and country, and we will continue fighting for the people," said Osotsi.

Osotsi sentiments came barely a month after a heated ODM chairmanship election in Kakamega County, where Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, who was contesting to retain the seat against Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, won the election, leading to two opposing camps.

The election was done twice after the first poll stall following a standoff between delegates allied to Barasa and Nabwera, who disagreed on the voting method.

Barasa camp was demanding for acclamation as a way of voting, while Nabwra camp was rooting for a secret ballot, forcing the returning officer to postpone the election, which the party later set 1st September 2025 as a date for the repeat poll.

One camp is led by Governor Barasa, who was declared the winner by the party returning officer maintained they are the duly elected ODM office, while another camp, led by Nabwera, declared itself as the winner, rejecting Barasa's win.

On one hand, Barasa has the backing of three lawmakers, Johnstone Naica(Mumias West), Innocent Mugabe(Likuyani), and Tindi Mwale (Butere), and 60 MCAs out of 89 MCAs, while Nabwera is being backed by MPs Christopher Aseka (Khwisero), Oscar Nabulindo (Matungu), Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), Emmnauel Wangwe (Navakholo), and Kakamega Women Rep Elsie Muhanda and a section of ward representatives.

However, Governor Barasa’s side maintains that the MPs are being used and Nabwera is a Trojan horse for Cabinet Secretary Oparanya and Ford-Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula to rock the party from within, divide it, and kill its presence in the county and region to give room for a local party

A week ago, Barasa called on President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga to call Oparanya to order and stop him from engaging in politics that risk the unity of the broad-based government in the region.

“Our brother was awarded the CS position he is holding courtesy of the broad-based government and ODM party under our leader, Raila, and instead of uniting his people, he is busy undermining the county leadership and the way our people are living,” said Barasa.