Rift Deepens in ODM Kakamega as MPs Back Nabii Nabwera for County Chair

A major leadership crisis is brewing in ODM Kakamega County after a group of local MPs publicly endorsed Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera as the party’s new county chairman. According to People Daily, this faction, backed by Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya, held a homecoming rally at Nabwera’s constituency, where several lawmakers expressed their full support for his claim.
The move comes just days after Governor Fernandes Barasa had declared himself the county chair following party elections held on August 25, 2025—an outcome Nabwera has rejected outright, calling it flawed and unrepresentative. ODM, however, has clarified that its National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) did not call for repeat elections, urging members to dismiss claims of fresh polls as false. People Daily+1 The conflicting claims indicate a party deeply divided, with each camp evoking legitimacy amid high-stakes positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reactions to the split have come swiftly. Former Governor Oparanya, a key backer of Nabwera, has warned against divisive politics within ODM, calling for unity as the party navigates this leadership row. On the other hand, critics accuse Nabwera of overreaching, arguing his influence is limited beyond his constituency. Deputy Governor Ayub Savula questioned Nabwera’s suitability for a county-wide role, noting that his political base does not match Governor Barasa’s broader grassroots reach. People Daily The discord risks fragmenting ODM’s strength in Kakamega, especially as key MPs rally behind rival camps.
Looking ahead, the standoff is likely to escalate unless a compromise is brokered. The homecoming event for Nabwera hints at a strong parliamentary faction ready to challenge the governor’s hold on the county ODM structure. Observers say that how the party reconciles—or fails to reconcile—these competing claims could shape its fortunes in Kakamega as it heads into the next election cycle.