The battle for control of ODM’s powerful secretary general office is intensifying, with Busia Governor Paul Otuoma and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa emerging as the leading contenders in a succession contest that is now shaping up as a major internal test for the party.
The unfolding race comes amid fresh uncertainty within ODM’s top ranks, as the exit of Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi looms and attention shifts to who will replace outgoing Secretary General Edwin Sifuna. Together, the expected changes are fuelling a broader conversation about the party’s future leadership structure, internal balance, and political direction ahead of the next election cycle.
At the centre of the contest is the secretary general position, one of the most influential offices in the party. The holder of the role is responsible for coordinating party affairs, managing internal operations, and driving mobilisation across the country. For ODM, the choice of who takes over is not just an administrative decision, but a political one that could influence how the party manages succession, regional interests, and internal cohesion.
Otuoma and Barasa have emerged as frontrunners largely because of their standing in Western Kenya, a region that remains central to ODM’s support base. Their names are now being discussed as part of a wider effort to steady the party during a period of transition and to ensure that key leadership positions reflect both political experience and regional considerations.
The succession battle is also exposing deeper currents within the party, including competition over influence, calculations around 2027, and the delicate task of maintaining unity during a moment of change. Party insiders say the coming leadership decisions will be closely watched not only by ODM members but also by rivals seeking to assess the strength and stability of the opposition outfit.
Analysts say the current manoeuvring points to a party trying to manage transition without triggering further internal divisions. Leadership changes at the top often create openings for new alliances, fresh rivalries, and renewed regional bargaining, and ODM now appears to be navigating all three at once.
For Otuoma and Barasa, the growing speculation places them at the centre of one of the party’s most consequential internal contests in recent months. For ODM, the challenge will be to handle the transition in a way that projects order, continuity, and readiness for the political battles ahead.
As the succession battle gathers momentum, the coming days are expected to offer clearer signals on who holds the advantage. But whatever the outcome, the contest is already underlining a bigger reality: ODM is entering a critical phase in which leadership changes will likely shape both its internal dynamics and its broader political posture.
