The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has appointed Vihiga Governor Wilbur Ottichilo as the party's patron in Vihiga County, replacing Senator Godfrey Osotsi in the latest leadership changes that signal a continued reorganisation within the party.
The changes were announced during a county delegates meeting, where party officials said the reshuffle was intended to strengthen ODM's grassroots structures by replacing leaders who were not actively advancing the party's agenda.
Officials said the move was meant to relieve members who were "not championing the party's interests" of their leadership responsibilities as ODM prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Ottichilo welcomed his appointment, saying the party needed renewed leadership to restore unity after months of internal divisions.
"In the past few months, the party has not had a proper direction. There have been divisions among the leadership," Ottichilo said.
"It is good that ODM is putting in place a leadership that will move the party forward."
The changes are widely seen as part of a broader effort by the party leadership to consolidate its ranks amid growing ideological differences over ODM's relationship with President William Ruto's administration.
Osotsi is widely regarded as one of the key figures aligned with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi Movement, a faction within ODM that has maintained a critical stance against Ruto's administration despite the party's cooperation with the government.
The Linda Mwananchi Movement has consistently criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration over the high cost of living, governance, accountability and the implementation of government policies.
Led by Sifuna, the faction has argued that ODM should preserve its role as an independent political party capable of holding the government to account, even as sections of the party leadership pursue closer cooperation with Ruto.
That position has increasingly put the group at odds with another wing of ODM led by party chairperson Gladys Wanga, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, who have openly backed a closer political partnership with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
UDA and ODM are currently negotiating a formal pre-election coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election, building on the broad-based government arrangement that has seen the two parties cooperate on key national issues and legislative priorities.
The latest changes in Vihiga come amid a series of leadership shake-ups targeting figures associated with the Linda Mwananchi Movement. Sifuna has already been removed as ODM Secretary-General and as the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, moves that were interpreted by political observers as an attempt by the party leadership to isolate members opposed to the growing alliance with UDA.
