BY FLEVIAN GEOFFREY: The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Uriri branch has been plunged into leadership wrangles following the dramatic suspension of the sub constituency chairperson Evans Ogutu.

In an executive meeting held on May 8, branch officials moved to oust Mr Ogutu over allegations of insubordination, “secret” dealings, and controversial social media pronouncements that defy the party’s central positions.

The meeting, presided over by Vice Chairperson Galus Ouma, reached a consensus to appoint Argwengs Obor as the acting chairperson after the executive committee deliberated on three primary grievances against the embattled chair:

Mr Ogutu stood accused of holding private meetings with the Linda Mwananchi wing of the party, officials termed this a ‘direct act of disrespect toward the ODM leadership’, currently overseen by Oburu Oginga.

Secondly, the chair reportedly went against the official party stance by openly supporting the Linda Mwananchi faction over the Linda Ground group.

Ogutu’s stance on zoning further sealed his fate, where the committee cited a Facebook post supporting the same.

In the post, he reportedly stated, “AS ODM CHAIR URIRI BRANCH, WE DO NOT SUPPORT ZONING, IT’S FOR THE WEAK,”a sentiment that flies in the face of current party strategy.

The meeting saw attendance from high-ranking branch officials, including John Ooro, George Ouda, Kenneth Nyakiti, and Mary Obewa, among others.

The suspension has not been met with universal agreement, exposing deep fissures within the branch.

Organizing Secretary Omondi Gwonyo has come out strongly against the move, labeling the meeting unconstitutional.

“The procedure used to suspend the chair did not follow the party’s constitution,” Gwonyo stated, insisting that Mr Ogutu remains the legitimate chairperson and the resolution is “null and void.”

Nominated MCA Chris Kwenya warned that the move is “politically motivated” and risks shattering the party’s unity in Uriri.

Kwenya also cast doubt on the legality of the proceedings, noting that the minutes currently circulating on social media lack the necessary official signatures to be valid.

With the emergence of the Linda Mwananchi and Linda Ground factions, local branches are increasingly becoming battlegrounds for ideological control.

At the time Kondele News published this piece, Mr Ogutu had not commented on the matter, offering no official response on his alleged suspension or the accusations leveled against him.

Whether the national office will intervene to mediate the Uriri dispute remains to be seen.