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Mass Exodus Hits Kakamega ODM as Five MCAs Defect to Sifuna’s Movement
KAKAMEGA, Kenya — The political landscape in Western Kenya faces a significant shift after at least five Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) from Kakamega ditched the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to align with Senator Edwin Sifuna’s growing Linda Mwananchi Movement.
The defecting ward representatives accused party leadership of high-handedness and intimidation after they were stripped of key county assembly committee posts due to their political leanings.
Victimization and Committee Purges
Leading the rebellious group, Lumakanda MCA Benard Mulama (alias Bokanda) confirmed his exit alongside Mautuma MCA Charles Anyona.
Other legislators affected by the party’s disciplinary actions include Marama North MCA Charles Nandwa, Koyonzo MCA Donald Okumu, and Nominated MCA Ho Ziila.
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Speaking to journalists, Mulama revealed that “orders from above” prompted assembly leadership to remove him from his crucial role as the Majority Whip.
He alleged that Kakamega County Assembly has fallen under state capture, accusing the Speaker of compromising his neutrality to favor the executive branch.
“Kakamega is under state capture. The speaker is being controlled by the executive, where he is used to intimidate those with different opinions,” Mulama asserted. “We are firm, and we will not be intimidated by orders. We live in a democratic country where anyone can affiliate with any party without discrimination.”
Echoing Mulama’s sentiment, Anyona confirmed that his removal from committees followed his public endorsement of Senator Edwin Sifuna. He maintained that no amount of political pressure would shake his resolve.
A Push for Regional Leadership
The defecting legislators framed their support for Sifuna as a historic moment for the Western region, urging the Luhya community to rally behind the movement for the country’s top leadership.
Refuting claims that Sifuna lacks the financial backing to sustain a presidential bid, Mulama clarified that Linda Mwananchi is a grassroots movement funded by ordinary citizens (Wanjiku).
The group also directed criticism toward National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, accusing him of prioritizing political campaigns over his official mandate.
Mulama argued that political leaders undermining alternative voices risk plunging the country into political uncertainty.
The legislators concluded by condemning ODM’s rely on state machinery to settle political scores, warning that such heavy-handed tactics are rapidly eroding the party’s long-standing popularity across the region.
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