The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has suffered a major political blow in Trans Nzoia County after a majority of its serving officials and grassroots leaders resigned from the party and joined the People’s Renaissance Movement (PM).
The officials announced their resignation during a press briefing in Kitale, accusing ODM of abandoning the principles that originally attracted them to the party following its cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration.
Former ODM Trans Nzoia chairman John Simiyu described the defections as the beginning of a broader political shift that he said would spread across the Western region.
“Today we are leaving ODM and joining the People’s Renaissance Movement. We believe the party has abandoned its original course, and we are now supporting a new political direction under the Linda Mwananchi movement,” Simiyu said.
He claimed more ODM officials and supporters from Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga and Busia counties were preparing to join PM in the coming weeks.
“We are setting the pace in Western Kenya. Many people believe ODM no longer represents their interests, and they are ready to move,” he said.
Former ODM Trans Nzoia women’s leader Miriam Kubai was among the leaders who resigned from the party and declared support for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
“We have decided to support Edwin Sifuna because we believe he represents the leadership and change that many Kenyans are looking for,” Kubai said.
The defectors endorsed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as their preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election, saying he is best placed to unite the opposition and offer a new political direction for the country.
They further accused ODM of drifting away from its founding ideals and said the People’s Renaissance Movement would focus on economic transformation, youth empowerment, good governance and accountable leadership.
The leaders also appealed to security agencies to guarantee the safety of all participants during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Kitale, where Sifuna and other opposition leaders are expected to address supporters.
“We want tomorrow’s meeting to be peaceful. Security should be provided equally to all political gatherings regardless of political affiliation,” one of the leaders said.
