By Ted Odhiambo
A great furore was raised on Siaya political WhatsApp groups this morning when it emerged that Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo Akuba was among the invited guests at President William Ruto’s new year crossover dinner-cum-national address.
The second term MP made it to the list of a select few invited to grace the auspicious occasion held at Nakuru State Lodge.
Mr. Elisha Ochieng Odhiambo is among nine Nyanza legislators who were labelled as rebels earlier this year for honouring a breakfast invite to State House, Nairobi. Subsequently he was ostracized by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party bigwigs in the Siaya branch, who attempted to induce his ejection from the party.
Hon. Elisha who is a life member of the ODM Party moved to court and the order was stayed with the court advising redress be found through the inter-party conflict resolution tribunal.
Towards the end of 2023 in a frenzied panic, the Party organised several meetings in Gem Constituency in the hope of colouring the sitting MP black but these events have only improved his public image.
The ODM Party leadership has been increasingly uncomfortable with the presence of Elisha since the 2022 elections. Having fought through the legal system to secure his certificate, the MP’s support for an independent candidate, who had won ODM nomination but was not granted the party certificate, was considered the deciding factor during the South Gem Ward Elections in January 2023. The independent candidate trounced the ODM Party candidate by a large margin of votes. Hon. Elisha’s open interest in the party”s secretary General’s position has further caused discomfort to party diehards who would otherwise prefer business as usual.
Last night event at state house Nakuru, providing yet another glimpse of an MP with close personal relations with the head of state, showed clearly where power lies and possibly the only key to unlock National government opportunities to Siaya residents.
To many, the time for development is now, but the continuing conflict between proponents of development and those demanding party loyalty at all costs threaten the existence of the ODM party as we once knew it.
