Having been appointed cabinet secretaries, the question of how to fill the vacant positions of the two ODM Deputy Party Leaders Hassan Joho and W.A. Oparanya, arose.
It was agreed that the two would nominate their preferred successors who would sit on those roles as ‘caretaker’ placeholders waiting for the substantive return of the two ministers after the ruling pact with President Ruto is dissolved.
This was not the first time it happened. ODM in the grand coalition days remained a distinct entity. Whereas the party produced ministers and assistant ministers, those officials remained party politicians and returned fully to party activities when the government was dissolved at the end of “nusu mkate”.
The elevation, therefore, of Senator Osotsi and Governor Abdulswamad as ODM Deputy Party Leaders was to hold brief for Oparanya and Joho, respectively.
It follows that the position of Osotsi should at all times be the position of Oparanya; just as the position of Abdulswamad is the all time position of Governor Joho; with respect to party matters.
When Osotsi turned against the Broadbased govt; he was turning against the only reason he became ODM DPL. Without Oparanya becoming Ruto’s minister; there’s no way Osotsi would have become an ODM Deputy Party Leader. Until then, Osotsi was a ‘nobody’ in ODM. He controlled no known constituency. He became Senator of Vihiga on a silver platter.
That in the entire Western Kenya (Luhya) ODM group, DPL Oparanya picked on Osotsi as his placement reveal how low the party had sunk in the hands of Oparanya. Osotsi was barely three years in ODM.
With Oparanya now emerging from the shadows to become more assertive, it remains to be seen how ODM will perform in western Kenya. It is noteworthy to know that in the Mombasa meeting, a sizable Luhya represention was recorded.
The weak state of ODM in western must be placed squarely on OPARANYA, the de facto DPL from western region. He should contain Sifuna and Osotsi (his own pick as “dpl”) and strengthen the party, to dream of future stake. Coast is intact with the Joho/Abdulswamad/Mung’aro etc combination. Kisii is intact under Simba Arati. Luo Nyanza is intact under Dr. Oburu Odinga and Hon. Junet Mohamed. Maasai is intact under Ledama Ole Kina. North Eastern there’s Governor Jiir of Wajir. Nairobi is a joint effort of all.
What is relevant here is that ODM Party in western is the primary responsibility of western Kenya ODM leaders, assisted by the national back up.
Dikembe Disembe is a Political Researcher and Writer
