The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is grappling with escalating internal turmoil as the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) in Nairobi County issued a restraining order on Tuesday concerning the party’s primaries in the Uriri constituency.
The order, handed down by Hon. Desma Nungo, Chairperson, highlights a deepening crisis within the party’s grassroots leadership selection process, particularly in Migori County’s Uriri branch.
The case, docketed as PPDT/e004/2025, pits Omondi Benard Ouma and other complainants against ODM and its leadership.
Due to its immediacy, the tribunal’s intervention follows an urgent application filed on September 5, 2025, certified for ex parte consideration.
This legal action underscores the contentious nature of ODM’s recent primaries, which have sparked factionalism and allegations of electoral malpractice in Uriri.
Tribunal’s Ruling and Its Implications
The PPDT’s order temporarily halts activities by branch officials and employees under the first interested party’s chairmanship in the Uuri branch until a hearing on September 17, 2025, at 2:30 pm.
The injunction specifically targets actions related to the post-April 2025 elections period, suggesting that the dispute centres on the legitimacy of the recently concluded grassroots elections.
Applicants must serve all documents immediately, with a five-day window to file further replies and a two-day response period for respondents.
Non-compliance carries penal consequences, signalling the tribunal’s intent to enforce order.
This ruling effectively pauses the Uriri branch’s operations, a critical move given the constituency’s strategic importance in Migori County, a stronghold for ODM.
The restriction could disrupt party mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections, where control of grassroots structures is pivotal.
Background of the Uriri Primaries Dispute
The Uriri conflict is the latest chapter in a series of disputed ODM primaries across Western Kenya.
Reports from earlier this year, including a June 2025 article, indicate that the April 2025 grassroots elections in Uriri led to four rival camps, each claiming the influential constituency chairperson position.
These factions have been linked to prominent figures, including Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko and Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, whose rivalry has fueled the chaos.
Supporters of candidates like Evans Ogutu and Aloo Muga have accused each other of irregularities, with some alleging that outsiders are manipulating the process to favour certain leaders.
The tension escalated following Nyamita’s expulsion from ODM in May 2024 over alleged ties to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a decision that sparked protests by Uriri residents who viewed it as unfair.
The primary dispute appears to be an extension of this division, with Nyamita’s allies reportedly backing one faction, while Ayacko’s supporters champion another.
The lack of an official declaration of winners by ODM has only deepened the mistrust, with claims of handpicked candidates and unregistered members complicating the process.
Broader Context Within ODM
The Uriri saga mirrors broader challenges within ODM’s primaries across regions like Kakamega, Busia, and Homa Bay, where disputed elections have led to walkouts and legal challenges.
In Kakamega, Governor Fernandes Barasa’s contested chairmanship appointment triggered similar unrest, while in Busia, Governor Paul Otuoma’s naming as branch chair was disputed by local MPs.
These incidents reflect a party struggling to maintain unity amid Raila Odinga’s shift toward a coalition with President William Ruto’s administration, leaving a leadership vacuum that factions are vying to fill.
The Uriri dispute also coincides with ODM’s efforts to suspend primaries in other areas, such as East Kamagak Ward and Embakasi East, following tribunal rulings, indicating a pattern of electoral instability.
The party’s warning against violence ahead of branch elections further suggests that the Uriri situation could be part of a wider trend of contentious internal contests.
What Lies AheadThe September 17 hearing will be a critical juncture for ODM in Uriri.
The tribunal’s decision could either validate the current leadership or force a rerun, potentially reshaping the constituency’s political landscape.
For ODM, resolving this dispute is urgent, as failure to do so risks alienating its base in Migori and weakening its position ahead of 2027.
The involvement of high-profile figures like Ayacko and Nyamita adds a layer of complexity, with the outcome likely to influence their political trajectories.
As Uriri residents and party members await the tribunal’s verdict, the primaries crisis highlights the fragility of ODM’s internal democracy.
Whether this legal intervention will heal the rift or exacerbate it remains to be seen, but it is clear that the party’s dominance in the region hangs in the balance.
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