NAIROBI, Kenya – ODM youth league member Kasmuel McOure has criticised his party’s mobilisation strategy ahead of its October 31 rally at Jacaranda Grounds, accusing its leadership of overlooking grassroots organisers while preparing to market the event.
In a post on X, McOure questioned why ODM was deploying its political machinery to publicise a rally at a venue where, in his view, the party should already have established strong grassroots networks.
He argued that the mobilisation could have been handled by local political organisers, specifically mentioning Omosh Jakababa One Hour and Usiku wa Manane.
“We are at a point where ODM is deploying all its machinery to market a rally at Jacaranda. THE ONE JACARANDAAAA??? That is work that would effectively have been done by Omosh Jakababa One Hour and Usiku wa Manane, had our party been serious,” he wrote.
His remarks point to a broader disagreement over how ODM engages grassroots supporters and recognises young people who have helped build its political networks.
McOure rejects conditions for supporting Ruto
The ODM politician also used the post to challenge party leaders who have called for conditions to be met before supporting President William Ruto politically.
He accused unnamed leaders of attempting to undermine the political aspirations of young people by making demands of the President instead of concentrating on development.
“These are the people who want to sabotage our dreams as youth by setting conditions for the President. The only demand we have of President Ruto is DEVELOPMENT,” McOure stated.
He added that young people should not remain silent as political leaders negotiate arrangements that could affect their future.
“TUTAM BILA CONDITIONS. Usawa Ni Sawa. Mbele Pamoja,” he concluded.
The slogan reflects his continued support for Ruto’s political direction without preconditions, a position he has repeatedly defended in recent public statements.
ODM prepares for Jacaranda rally amid internal disagreements
ODM is scheduled to hold a rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Embakasi East on Saturday, October 31, as part of activities marking Mwezi wa Baba in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The party announced the event earlier in October, with Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, publicising the date and venue.
The choice of Jacaranda is politically significant because the grounds hosted a major Linda Mwananchi rally on September 13, attended by leaders including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
The competing political activities at the venue have become part of wider disagreements within ODM over its relationship with Ruto’s administration and the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.
McOure has previously criticised fellow ODM leaders for publicly attaching conditions to cooperation with the President, questioning the purpose of ongoing negotiations if political demands continue to be debated at rallies.
He has also argued that young people deserve a stronger role in the party’s decision-making and political negotiations.
His latest remarks shift attention to the party’s grassroots mobilisation, suggesting that the debate within ODM is not limited to the terms of a possible political arrangement with Ruto but also concerns who controls the party’s structures and whose contribution is recognised.
With the Jacaranda rally approaching, the comments expose another layer of disagreement within the party as it seeks to demonstrate its political strength in Nairobi.
