Sign in Subscribe
Political parties

Rifts Within Major Parties Threaten Victory in November By-elections

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Tensions are running high within the country's major political parties as internal divisions and power struggles threaten their chances of winning the upcoming by-elections. Amidst the infighting, some party leaders are imposing candidates, sparking heated debates and potential defections. President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Kenya Kwanza coalition, as well as Mr. Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the broad-based team, are particularly affected. The opposition, under the leadership of Democracy for the Citizen's Party (DCP) chief Rigathi Gachagua, is also facing internal divisions, with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Party's Justin Muturi, and Eugene Wamalwa's DAP-K party among those involved.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UDA and Kenya Kwanza coalition are experiencing internal divisions, particularly in the Kakamega County leadership, with Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya at the center of the disputes.
  • In the ODM party, tensions have emerged in counties like Homa Bay, Siaya, and Kakamega, where rival camps are vouching for different aspirants, such as Mr. Boyd Were and Mr. Moses Omondi for the Kasipul MP seat.
  • The ODM party's National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) announced that it will conduct primaries in Kasipul Constituency on September 24, Ugunja Constituency on September 26, and two additional constituencies and wards on September 27.
  • The party was forced to withdraw its candidate for the Malava MP seat following an internal feud between Kakamega County leadership and Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya.
  • ODM will also back UDA candidates in Banissa constituency and the Baringo senatorial race under the broad-based framework.
  • Anthony Mwaura, UDA National Elections Board chairman, stated that the party would ask the ODM candidate to step down in favor of the UDA candidate in Magarini Constituency, where UDA has insisted on backing Mr. Stanley Karisa Kenga.
  • DCP was forced to withdraw its candidate in Mbeere North Constituency in favor of Mr. Muturi's Democratic Party, following a bruising power struggle that sparked controversy and potential defections.

Statistics:

  • 23 electoral areas affected by the internal divisions and power struggles within the major parties.
  • 10 seats up for grabs in the November by-elections.
  • At least 5 major parties involved in the power struggles: ODM, UDA, DCP, Democratic Party, and DAP-K.
  • 15 candidates have been endorsed or are vying for the Kasipul MP seat.

Sources:

  • "The Nation" newspaper
  • Emily Awita, ODM party's National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) chairperson
  • Anthony Mwaura, UDA National Elections Board chairman
  • Wycliffe Oparanya, Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary
  • Nabii Nabwera, ODM party's county chairman in Kakamega
  • Harrison Kombe, former MP for Magarini Constituency
  • Rigathi Gachagua, DCP party leader
  • Martha Karua, People's Liberation Party leader
  • Justin Muturi, Democratic Party leader
  • Eugene Wamalwa, DAP-K party leader
  • Kalonzo Musyoka, Wiper party leader

Read more