The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is facing an uphill task to retain its political stronghold in Turkana County following the death of its longtime leader, Raila Odinga , amid defections, recent by-election losses and growing competition from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
For three consecutive General Elections, Turkana has elected governors on the ODM ticket, while the late Mr Odinga enjoyed strong electoral support in his presidential bids.
But the party’s dominance is now facing fresh questions as its leaders seek to rebuild grassroots structures, win back defectors and secure more elective seats ahead of the 2027 General Election.
During memorial rallies in Turkana North, Turkana Central and Turkana West constituencies on Friday and Saturday, ODM deputy leader Simba Arati and national chairperson Gladys Wanga led a mobilisation drive aimed at consolidating the party’s support across the county.
The leaders insisted that Raila’s death had not weakened the party, urging supporters to remain united and back President Ruto’s re-election bid under the broad-based government arrangement.
Their campaign comes against the backdrop of two ward by-election losses a month after Mr Odinga’s death and divisions within the Turkana branch, which had developed into two competing factions before the latest intervention by the national leadership.
A delegates’ meeting held on Friday night was part of efforts to address the divisions and restore unity within the party.
Reclaim county leadership
Mr Arati said the party would strengthen its grassroots structures and ensure that it fields competitive candidates for governor, senator, Members of Parliament and Members of County Assembly (MCAs).
He also pledged to facilitate talks between Turkana North MP Ekwom Nabuin and his Turkana South counterpart to agree on a candidate for the ODM gubernatorial ticket.
The party is seeking to regain the county’s top seat after Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, who was elected on an ODM ticket in 2022, left the party and joined UDA.
Mr Arati said ODM would conduct free and fair primaries to select candidates and urged aspirants to remain in the party even if they lost nominations.
He said the party’s focus was on rebuilding its support base rather than allowing internal competition to trigger further defections.
ODM Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga during the burial of Kisumu West MP Roza Buyu’s mother in Ajigo in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 10, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Mr Arati also maintained that the party would pursue an inclusive nomination process to give aspirants a fair chance of securing its tickets.
Ms Wanga dismissed suggestions that ODM was losing popularity following Mr Odinga’s death, saying the party remained united and committed to representing communities across the country.
She pointed to Turkana’s place in the broad-based government arrangement, noting that Beatrice Askul had been appointed to Cabinet.
East African Community Affairs and Regional Development CS nominee Beatrice Askul Moe.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
“We are happy that both Dr Namoit and Mr Nabuin are still holding the party strongly to ensure that besides voting for President William Ruto’s re-election, we have an elected governor, senator, MPs and MCAs under the party,” she said.
Ms Wanga urged supporters to back Dr Ruto’s re-election while retaining their allegiance to ODM in other elective contests.
She also took aim at former party members who had left following Mr Odinga’s death, saying the party’s future would be determined by grassroots mobilisation rather than political meetings and press conferences.
“Those who have left the party should be prepared to lose the battle because they are still in hotels and press conferences while we are in the fields for campaigns. As ODM family, we ask you to vote for President Ruto’s re-election,” she said.
ODM secretary-general Catherine Omanyo said Mr Odinga’s political legacy remained with members who had stayed in the party and supported the broad-based government, rather than those seeking to work with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua .
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed also called for the party to strengthen its support base by electing leaders on its ticket while working towards forming the next government through Dr Ruto’s re-election.
Despite the confidence expressed by the party’s national leadership, its recent electoral record in Turkana presents a challenge.
In the 2022 General Election, the county’s assembly representation shifted significantly, with UDA winning five of the six seats retained, according to figures cited by the party officials, while ODM secured one.
The ODM representatives identified in the account include Dedan Kalimapus of Nakalale Ward in Turkana North, Lawrence Lopayo of Lokiriama-Lorengippi Ward in Loima and Willy Nalimo of Kapedo-Napeitom Ward in Turkana East. These figures require reconciliation with the reported total of six retained seats.
The party’s loss of two ward by-elections following Mr Odinga’s death has further fuelled questions about whether its traditional support base can withstand changing political loyalties.
Lodwar ward representative Ruth Kuya, who belongs to UDA, believes the county is shifting towards the ruling party.
She attributed the trend to Governor Lomorukai’s efforts to popularise UDA and the party’s victories in the two ward by-elections.
“Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has been popularising UDA to a point of ensuring that the party won two ward by-elections. ODM is experiencing a fading dominance due to Governor Lomorukai’s influence in UDA politics,” she said.
Her remarks reflect the challenge facing ODM as it attempts to retain its historical influence in a county where the governor has switched political allegiance.
ODM leaders in Turkana have sought to reassure supporters that the party remains committed to Mr Odinga’s political ideals, particularly democracy, devolution and the rights of marginalised communities.
Mr Nabuin said the party had established systems to ensure credible nominations and that aspirants competing for the same positions were able to interact without hostility.
“We don’t want to be like others. ODM is disciplined. We believe in democracy, which is why we even have several aspirants for the same seats but are freely interacting, unlike other parties that are characterised by name-calling and violence,” he said.
Dr Namoit also maintained that ODM’s support base remained intact despite the departure of several prominent leaders.
He recalled efforts by Turkana’s pioneer governor, Josphat Nanok, to persuade supporters to join UDA after completing his second term, arguing that the move had failed to dismantle ODM’s grassroots network.
Dr Namoit warned that Governor Lomorukai could face political consequences for leaving the party, saying ODM supporters remained committed to Mr Odinga’s legacy.
He cited the former prime minister’s contribution to democratic reforms and the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which established the devolved system of government.
On Sunday, Dr Ariko presided over a Mavuno Day celebration at Good Shepherd Kakuma Parish, while Mr Nabuin attended another church function in Kalobeyei Ward, both in Turkana West Constituency, after ODM leaders returned from the rallies in Kakuma.
