By Reuben Olita
The newly elected Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Teso North Sub Branch officials have assured the party leader Raila Odinga of a paragidim shift in 2027 General election.
Addressing a press conference outside the party offices domiciled at Ikapolok near Malaba on Thursday after their inaugural meeting, the officials assured the Rt Hon Raila Odinga of winning the MP, and all MCAs seats in Teso North, come 2027.
The new secretary, Harrison Juma Esiromo, urged party members to have faith in the elected officials to enable them to consolidate the party’s popularity in the region.
” Change of leadership doesn’t mean discontented members should quit the party. We shall endeavour to woo more members at grassroot levels to join the second largest party in Africa after the African National Conference of South Africa,” said Esiromo.
Esiromo was responding to remarks by the outgoing secretary, David Masake, and women league chairperson Phozia Khisa, who have threatened to quit the orange party over alleged irregularities in the elections.
Dismissing claims by the two former officials, Esiromo said the elections were conducted in an open manner with each of the six wards allocated one slot.
The party sub branch chairman David Otini Oese, who was elected unopposed, said the elections went on well save for some individuals who wanted to spoil the exercise.
” The new elected leaders will help to expand the party. It’s unfortunate that Teso North managed to win only one MCA seat in Ronald Ochalu, promising to win at least 5 MCA seats in 2027,”Oese stated.
Oese was optimistic that the party would field a presidential candidate in the 2027 elections, thus the need for party members to stick to ODM instead of moving from one party to the other.
Women league chairperson Flora Kitui said she was duly elected chairperson and wondered why Phozia, who has been a loyal member, is threatening to quit the party.
“This is our party. Phozia should continue adoring it since she stands high chances of being nominated owing to her loyalty to Baba,” she said.
Ms. Kitui said top on her agenda is to register more members into the party, especially among the elderly, the youth, women, and people with disability, noting that she will enlighten women on the need to seek various positions in the county and national governments to achieve gender parity.
Youth leader ODM Kevin Etyang thanked ODM leaders in the county for enabling them to hold peaceful elections, noting that the party will vote leaders who will field leaders who will stand on the party tickets.
Brenda Ekirapa told disgruntled party members to remain routed in the party and emulate Phozia, who has remained loyal to the party despite ups and downs.
“We shall continue supporting Busia Governor H.E Dr Paul Otuoma by virtue that he is in ODM, and we can’t rally our support to non- ODM members,” she noted.
Desmond Omunga said ODM is firm, adding that they will vote five pieces, including MCAs, MP, Women Rep, Senator, and Governor.
