MP warns of Gusii exodus from ODM in 2027 over ‘exclusion’
Nyaribari Masaba MP Daniel Manduku (extreme right) doing a jig in a recent function. He accused ODM party of gross nepotism in party position appointments. Photo/Charles Magati
An ODM MP has warned of a possible exodus of the Gusii nation out of the orange party in 2027.
Nyaribari Masaba MP Daniel Manduku accused the party of “gross nepotism especially when it comes to senior party positions” citing it as a factor.
Unless the party leadership gets more deliberate and considerate of other regions on party positions, said Mr Manduku, then it should begin counting the Kisii people out.
Mr Manduku was speaking to journalists in Masimba town on Thursday morning.
The legislator, in the tirade, lamented that Gusii region was always getting a raw deal though their support of the party has been unwavering on every other poll.
“We are always still getting the short end of the stick. Kisii needs more visible positions in the party otherwise our continued stay will not be tenable come 2027. I can say on record,” Mr Manduku charged.
He spoke a day after the party's Central Management Committee announced Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o as the new acting party leader.
Party leader Raila Odinga' s pre-ccupation with the chase for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson candidacy was cited as reason.
The Nyaribari Masaba MP said as an individual, he has no problem backing Prof Nyong'o as the new acting party leader, “but the manner in which other regions were locked out of influential positions is my main issue”.
"Prof Nyongo is a very capable person, learned, very exposed, and is not a controversial person. So, we support him as the new party leader," said Mr Manduku.
The legislator said ODM should reflect diversity at the top.
“We have no parliamentary positions as Kisiis in ODM…we have no substantive say in the Central Management Committee yet we contribute heavily to the vote basket of ODM year in, year out, election in, election out. So as much as we say we support the elevation of Anyang' Nyong'o as acting party leader, we are questioning what the Kisii nation is getting in the whole of this thing we call ODM,” a visibly an angry Manduku called out.
He said the Gusii people also have the numbers and thus should be granted a say in the party decision-making organ.
"After the Luyha and Luo nation, Kisii has the most flourishing membership in the ODM, but we are always neglected and sidelined when positions are being dished out so we have a question mark," he stated.