Busia Governor Paul Otuoma (left) and his Kakamega counterpart Fernandes Barasa. They have been mentioned as potential successors of ousted Orange Democratic Movement co-deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi.
Lobbying for the replacement of former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) co-deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi has intensified, with the outfit’s top organ set to meet to settle on a name.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and his Busia counterpart Paul Otuoma have been mentioned as the potential successors of Mr Osotsi, who was dropped from the position on Friday during the party’s Special Delegates Convention (SDC).
Mr Osotsi belongs to the Linda Mwananchi camp, a rival faction that is opposed to the leadership of ODM Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga and President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid. The Vihiga Senator has since indicated that he will not challenge his ouster.
Former ODM co-deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed told Nation that the ODM National Executive Committee (NEC) is set to meet and settle on a name for subsequent approvals by other party organs.
Although he did not specify the date the organ will meet, he indicated the urgency in filling the position. He explained that once NEC settles on a name, the party’s National Governing Council (NGC) will make the appointment, pending ratification by the party’s National Delegates Convention. The Orange party is scheduled to have another delegates meeting in the run up to the 2027 General Election.
“There are several people who have shown interest in the position. We will soon convene as NEC to settle on a name before the nominee can be appointed by the National Governing Council,” said Mr Mohammed.
“The same process that led to the confirmation of our party leader and his two deputies by the delegates will follow.”
The replacement is, however, likely to trigger some re-organisation in the party structure, especially in the position of secretary-general. The party had settled on Busia Woman Rep Catherine Omanyo to replace Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna. Mr Sifuna remains in office pending the determination of a petition challenging the ouster.
Should the party have its way in replacing Mr Sifuna, it would have a delicate balancing act in filling the two positions, both of which have been held by politicians from Western Kenya. Both Governor Otuoma and Ms Omanyo come from Busia, while Mr Barasa is from Kakamega. Having both the secretary general and deputy party leader from Busia may not be an option for the outfit.
Neither Mr Barasa nor Mr Otuoma responded to our queries over their interest in taking up the vacant position.
From Left: ODM Secretary General Catherine Omanyo, Junet Mohamed and Homa Bay Governor and ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga during the Linda Ground political rally at Mkunguni Square in Lamu Old Town on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
On Saturday, while attending a public event in Kakamega, he said they would not entertain indiscipline in the party in a remark targeted at Mr Sifuna and Mr Osotsi.
“Sifuna has clearly said that he is not ready to work as secretary-general under Dr Oburu. He basically resigned from ODM. He is free to pursue his interests. I want to tell Sifuna and Osotsi that we recognise them as our brothers, but democracy in ODM should not mean indiscipline,” said Mr Barasa.
Mr Osotsi said that despite having strong legal grounds to challenge his removal in court, he has opted not to take the litigation route.
“I did not attend the NDC convened under Oburu Oginga as I considered it both irregular and inconsistent with the original purpose for which it was intended. My removal, therefore, only serves to grant me greater opportunity to engage more vigorously in championing the interests of the party and the people of Kenya,” said Mr Osotsi.
He claimed that he had rejected an offer to serve as the party’s secretary-general following the removal of Mr Sifuna. He said he rejected it on the account that it would have amounted to betrayal of Mr Sifuna, a member of Linda Mwananchi.
Script reactions
“This decision appeared to anger those orchestrating these changes, and I was warned of consequences at the NDC where efforts were reportedly made to script reactions against me through coordinated meetings and coaching of selected individuals posing as delegates.”
“I am also aware of heightened political manoeuvring, particularly among some governors from the western region eyeing the position of deputy party leader. While I hold no objection, any such decision must arise from a lawful and credible process,” said Mr Osotsi.
He charged that the delegates’ meeting which effected his removal was procedurally flawed, having not adhered to the party’s constitution.
Article 49 provides that a Special Delegates Convention shall be summoned by the chairperson upon the decision of the National Executive Committee or upon a requisition in writing signed by at least one third of the delegates eligible to attend an Ordinary Session of the Convention.
It also provides that the notice and agenda convening the meeting shall be sent out by the secretary-general. The notice convening Friday’s SDC was issued by Ms Omanya, the party’s deputy secretary-general.
The late Raila Odinga’s long shadow held ODM together for nearly two decades, masking factional rivalries beneath the unifying banner of his name. Raila died in October 2025.
But with that unifying figure gone, the party faces its greatest existential test since its founding.
At the centre of the infighting in the party is the power struggle to inherit Raila’s ODM and traditional support bases.
President William Ruto’s re-election bid has also fuelled the internal war in the party. The Oginga faction has declared support for Dr Ruto’s second term, while the Linda Mwananchi camp, led by Mr Sifuna, has turned into fierce critics of the broad-based government arrangement. They have vowed not to back Dr Ruto’s re-election.
Another fight to succeed Raila as the Luo kingpin is also unfolding, with top leaders angling to speak for the community.
Siaya Governor James Orengo addresses delegates during the People’s Delegate Convention organised by the Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM at Ufungamano House in Nairobi on March 27, 2026.
Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, members of the Linda Mwananchi, seek to ride on anti-Ruto’s sentiment in their pursuit to endear themselves to the community.
While Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo are backing Dr Ruto for a second term amid jostling to win the endorsement of the community for their future political ambitions.
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