A fresh political storm is brewing within Orange Democratic Movement after a party member moved to court to block the proposed elevation of Winnie Odinga to a top leadership position ahead of a crucial party convention.
Highlights:
- ODM sued over alleged plan to create deputy party leader role
- Case filed at Political Parties Disputes Tribunal under urgency
- Petitioner argues move violates party constitution
- Winnie Odinga’s elevation linked to upcoming National Delegates Convention
- Tribunal set to issue directions as case proceeds
Main Story:
Urgent Case Filed Against ODM
A dispute has erupted within ODM after party member Evans Amuga filed a case at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal seeking to stop what he describes as an unconstitutional move within the party.
The case, filed under a certificate of urgency, aims to block the planned elevation of Winnie Odinga to a newly created position of deputy party leader.
Tribunal Steps In
Presiding tribunal member Gad Gathu-Karagu directed that the complaint be served to all respondents, allowing them to respond before further directions are issued.
Those named in the case include ODM, Winnie Odinga, George Aladwa, and the Registrar of Political Parties.
Dispute Over “Non-Existent” Position
At the center of the case is the claim that Winnie was “elevated” to a position described as “Nairobi’s number-one party delegate” during a county-level meeting.
Amuga argues that this role does not exist within the party’s constitution and that any attempt to formalize it, or use it to influence leadership elections is unlawful.
He is asking the tribunal to declare the move null and void and to stop the party from creating any new position specifically for her.
Concerns Over Party Democracy
The petitioner has also raised concerns about what he terms as growing dynastic politics within the party.
Winnie Odinga is the daughter of the late Raila Odinga, the party’s founder and long-time leader. Amuga argues that allowing such an elevation could set a precedent where leadership positions are informally passed within families rather than decided through constitutional processes.
Convention Tensions Rise
The legal challenge comes just days before the party’s National Delegates Convention, where key leadership decisions are expected to be made.
Amuga maintains that while Winnie has the right to attend the convention in her capacity as an East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP, she should not claim or be given any position that is not recognized by the party’s constitution.
What Happens Next
The tribunal is expected to give further directions as the case progresses, with the outcome likely to influence not just Winnie Odinga’s political trajectory, but also internal dynamics within ODM.
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