The newspapers of Wednesday, October 22, focused on the future of the ODM party following the death of its leader Raila Odinga.
Source: UGC
President William Ruto is said to be having a keen interest on how the party handles its affairs running up into the 2027 General Election.
1. People Daily
This newspaper analyzed what is going on in the ODM party following the death of its long-time leader, Raila Odinga.
Before his death, Raila was clear about how the party will conduct itself in the 2027 General Election.
The deceased leader insisted that ODM would remain in central government until 2027.
However, he was clear that the party has not decided to support President William Ruto in his bid for re-election.
Raila hinted that supporting Ruto 2027 could be discussed when the time comes, but it was not a party position.
Now that Raila is gone forever, political observers argue that the party has lost the direction to organize itself, an opportunity that Ruto can use.
They say the possibility is that the president may decide to choose his running mate from ODM, perhaps to appease the areas that Raila liked.
The president’s goal, according to analysts, would be to deal with opposition within the party.
“Ruto is still in power. His strategy is not to destroy ODM, but to turn it into a formidable partner. It is likely that he will choose his running mate from ODM because most of the party’s top leaders have great influence in the grassroots. After losing the support of Mt Kenya, Ruto 2027 will be looking for a candidate with big numbers. If ODM can get more votes from ODM party, Maasburu wa Pwani and Samburu. Ruto’s areas, then Deputy President Kithure Kindiki lives on loan,” People Daily quoted Andrew Nyabuto, a political analyst.
The analyst has listed the Minister of Mines Hassan Joho and his Cooperative counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya as expected to be Ruto’s running mate.
Some analysts, however, argue that Ruto’s choice of his running mate from ODM is not straightforward.
Ruto will test the ability of his running mate; whether they can bring him votes or not.
2. Nation Today
The newspaper saved space for the divisions within ODM that have sparked a fierce debate about the future of the party following the death of its leader, Raila Odinga, who was buried last Sunday, October 19.
Raila was the pillar of the party, serving as the party’s chief negotiator and averting conflicts whenever they arose.
His ability to bring unity and resolve conflicts made many see him as the glue of the party, and ODM now faces a great challenge to continue without him.
Following his death, the ODM National Central Committee appointed Raila’s brother, Siaya senator Oburu Oginga, as acting leader of the party.
At the state funeral service held at Nyayo Stadium, Oburu acknowledged the major challenges facing the party and promised to continue to implement the goals set by his deceased brother.
However, the party is facing internal conflicts arising from its working agreement with the government of President William Ruto.
Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has expressed his dissatisfaction with the plan and he and the young leaders feel the party should abandon its current closeness to the government and embrace the opposition.
This has caused a great division within ODM.
The generational divide within the party adds to the turmoil.
The Sifuna group and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino are at odds with veteran members like James Orengo, Anyang Nyong’o and Oburu Oginga, with analysts saying these differences could destroy the party if not properly addressed.
Another important issue is the party’s path towards the 2027 General Election. Two factions have emerged within ODM, each seeking a different path.
One group includes party chairperson Gladys Wanga, four Cabinet secretaries, and deputy leader Abdulswamad Nassir.
They are deeply committed to continuing to participate in the wider government, now and in the future.
They believe this partnership brings political and economic benefits to the party and they strive to maintain influence within the government.
At the same time, the Sifuna group maintains that the party should be the opposition and prepare to compete for the presidency through the ODM candidate.
At Raila’s funeral, Finance Minister John Mbadi and Mines Minister Hassan Joho assured members that they would remain in government under Ruto, a sign of further division.
3. Daily Nation
The newspaper reported how the government’s funeral committee struggled to red-card ODM leader Raila Odinga.
The committee is said to have held its meetings until midnight and discussed several political and protocol issues to ensure that Raila is buried with dignity.
Raila was buried on Sunday, October 19, at the home of his father Kangó Ka Jaramogi.
In his will, he had suggested that he be buried within 72 hours of his death.
Deputy President Kithur Kindiki and Siaya senator Oburu Oginga were leading the committee that had members from the government and the opposition.
First, they had to meet the 72-hour deadline that Raila had stated in his will, then they had to listen to the family and the government also fulfilled its duty to bury the leader with dignity.
Due to Raila’s popularity, the government knew that his supporters would come out in large numbers to mourn him and it was necessary to calm them down and put security strategies in place.
“The Deputy President helped us a lot and did not seem tired even when the meetings continued until midnight, he was careful and his opinion about the funeral procedures was very wise,” said a member of the committee.
4. The Standard
The Standard newspaper reported on the Computer Misuse and Cyber Offenses (Amendment) Act 2024, signed into law by President William Ruto last Wednesday.
An application has been submitted to the court against that.
Gospel artiste and activist Reuben Kigame, along with the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), filed the petition asking for a temporary court order to stop the issuance and implementation of the newly passed law.
“The court is pleased to issue a conservatorship order to suspend the operation, implementation and enforcement of the Computer Misuse and Internet Crimes (Amendment) Act of 2024 in its entirety,” they said.
The petitioners claimed that the changes made to the previous Act of 2018 were unconstitutional.
They cited allegations of unconstitutionality, pointing to procedural irregularities during the adoption of the law and its potential for undermining important liberties.
The petition claimed that the legislators and executives rushed the Bill for the Amendment of the Law on Misuse of Computers and Internet Crimes of 2024 through the Parliament and obtained the approval of the president on October 15, violating the steps prescribed by the constitution.
In addition, they argued that the bill was not sent to the Senate, violating Article 110 of the Constitution.
The petition also raised concerns about the law’s vague language, warning that it could be misused to stifle privacy and free speech.
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