NAIROBI — Saitabao ole Kanchory, who served as Raila Odinga’s chief agent during the 2022 presidential elections, has alleged that senior political figures sabotaged the party’s election machinery in the final weeks leading up to the polls.
Ole Kanchory, who has since cut ties with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), accused Junet Mohamed, Professor Makau Mutua, now a senior advisor to President William Ruto, and former ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru of bungling the party’s agent system, potentially undermining Raila’s campaign.
“We had all that system. Names and even volunteers — more than 100,000 people. We had already prepared this. We had people who were willing to do anything for him,” he said.
“That system was bungled and sabotaged by Junet Mohamed, Makau Mutua, and Joe Mucheru. Every morning, we had a new list. A month to the election, I had already prepared appointment letters. We had a secretariat led by Elizabeth Meyo — the most hardworking person I had ever met in my life.”
Saitabao ole Kanchory claims Junet Mohamed, Makau Mutua and Joe Mucheru sabotaged and bungled Raila’s agents’ system during the 2022 general elections. #FixingTheNationNTV@nationfmke @officialjmbugua @ericlatiff @mariambishar
The allegations come amid ongoing factional disputes within ODM.
Junet Mohamed is reportedly leading a faction that supports endorsing President Ruto for the 2027 elections, while ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna is seen heading a faction leaning toward opposition politics.
Political analysts note that ole Kanchory’s claims, made from outside the party, could intensify perceptions of disunity within ODM and impact preparations for upcoming elections.
ODM has not officially responded to the allegations.
Observers say the party, which has long dominated Kenya’s opposition politics, faces pressure to maintain cohesion and rebuild confidence in its internal systems as the next general election approaches.
