ODM leaders warn UDA against fronting candidate in Kajiado amid internal party tensions

The leaders argued that allowing UDA to field a candidate would undermine the spirit of political cooperation between the two parties and weaken ODM’s grip on a region it has dominated politically for years.

Speaking during a meeting with the Ilmirishi age set, Kajiado Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho, who is seeking the governorship on an ODM ticket, said the county must be protected from both internal and external political interference.

Moshisho urged Governor Joseph ole Lenku to support the Ilmirishi age set, noting that the group played a key role in backing him during his two terms in office. He said the time had come for the age set to be rewarded through leadership opportunities.

Leaders from the Ilmirishi age set echoed the call, saying their generation was ready to assume leadership roles across the county, from the governorship and senate to Member of County Assembly (MCA) positions.

The Kajiado leaders also appealed to the ODM party leadership to firmly defend the county’s political space, warning that failure to do so could expose the party to deeper divisions at a time when ODM is grappling with internal rifts across the country.

In recent months, ODM has experienced growing internal disagreements, with factions emerging over the party’s cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration under the broad-based government framework.

Some leaders have openly questioned the arrangement, while others have accused the party leadership of sidelining grassroots supporters and traditional strongholds.

These tensions have played out publicly in several regions, raising concerns among ODM loyalists that continued internal wrangles could weaken the party’s influence ahead of the next general election.

In Kajiado, leaders cautioned that any attempt by UDA to assert political dominance in the county could deepen unease within ODM ranks and further strain grassroots unity.

They maintained that respecting ODM zones of influence, such as Kajiado, would help preserve stability within the broad-based political arrangement and prevent further fragmentation of the party.