A leadership crisis is looming in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following differing opinions by a section of Trans Nzoia County party leaders who have raised alarm over the leadership structure.
The leadership wrangles in the county are pitting two factions. On one side is led the Saboti Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi, while the other one is led by incumbent ODM Party Chairman for Trans Nzoia County, Patrick Musungu.
According to Musungu, MP Amisi is keen on causing instability in the party's leadership with an aim of running for the county's top party post.
Musungu argues that the Saboti MP had called him to inform him that the people wanted him (Amisi) to take over as the chairperson.
Musungu says that he is ready to handover to Amisi the leadership role as long as the due process is followed and he trounces him in party elections.
However, the county party leader also gave a condition to the legislator. He said the MP must avail himself for discussions with Musungu's 20-member committee on the matter, arguing that the MP did not show up for an earlier meeting.
"The following day, I was informed that Caleb stated that he must be the chairman because the order had come from Nairobi," Musungu stated.
The incumbent differed with the idea of party leadership at county level being decided upon in the capital.
"Nairobi does not choose anyone from Trans Nzoia. They are only mandated to receive the leader that has been chosen by the county," he expressed.
A faction led by Musungu had on October 1 endorsed him to retain the seat after getting wind of plans to have him dropped as the county's party chair.
The county party secretary, John Simuyu, dismissed the endorsement stating that it was not done within the party guidelines. He called for calm, adding that a date would be communicated for when the matter will be handled.
"We will call for a meeting on a later date. Party members who are involved in the position will be given an opportunity to make a decision on the same," he stated.
According to ODM's party constitution, grassroot elections can only be held after five years.
This comes barely a month after businessman and ODM life member, Jimi Wanjigi, who is seeking to be the party's flagbearer in the August 9, 2022 polls, called for fair nomination process in the party.
