A section of members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Trans Nzoia County have threatened to defect from the two-decade-old party following what they termed as a betrayal.
Speaking to the press in Kitale, the youthful members and loyal supporters of Saboti Constituency Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi said the party does not value the support and contributions of the legislator who is the county’s ODM chairperson.
Led by Vincent Mukabwa from the populous Matisi ward, the youths said the Orange party led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga ought to have given Amisi the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the latest reconstitution of parliamentary committees.
Butere Constituency Member of Parliament Tindi Mwale was elected the chairperson of the powerful committee.
“We have been loyal to ODM for 20 years, and we have not benefitted from the party. In fact, in Trans Nzoia, we have not felt the impact of the broad-based government, and we are giving seven days’ notice to Baba Raila Odinga to give Caleb Amisi PAC chairmanship or we defect and form own party,” Mukabwa said.
How Caleb Amisi has made ODM popular in Trans Nzoia
The angry youths further said that the MP has popularised and strengthened ODM in the cosmopolitan county. The youths staged a peaceful demonstration on the streets of Kitale town on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Trans Nzoia County has for the longest time been dominated by FORD Kenya party.
“We want to state categorically that without Kijana Power (Caleb Amisi), there is no ODM in Trans Nzoia County. He is the only MP elected on an ODM ticket, and he deserves better recognition in National Assembly appointments,” they said.
Amisi, a second-term lawmaker, has been a fierce critic of President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza administration.
Before Raila Odinga and William Ruto signed a memorandum of understanding, Amisi also conducted a public engagement in various parts of his constituency, and he received a resounding no to the cooperation.
It remains to be seen whether the youths will make real their threats or they are just political rhetorics.
