KAJIADO, Kenya – Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has threatened to leave the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and lead his supporters into the Linda Mwananchi movement if the party fails to address what he described as betrayal of its supporters in the county.
Lenku accused ODM of supporting politicians aligned with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), despite those candidates not being members of the opposition party.
The governor demanded an apology from the ODM leadership, warning that continued cooperation with UDA-aligned politicians could trigger a major political exodus from the party in Kajiado ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“ODM will close shop in Kajiado County. We are the people who brought ODM here, made it respected,” Lenku said.
He maintained that local leaders and supporters played a central role in building ODM’s influence in the county, particularly because of their loyalty to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
“We are, however, ready to leave it if the party continues to betray us,” Lenku added.
Lenku demands apology from ODM
The governor said ODM leadership should explain why party officials have allegedly been campaigning for politicians seeking elective positions on UDA-aligned platforms.
“We want the ODM leadership to apologise for campaigning for politicians who are not party members,” he said.
Lenku warned that ODM could experience a similar political setback to UDA in Kajiado if the party does not address the concerns raised by its local leadership.
Several Members of County Assembly elected on UDA tickets have recently defected to the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
“The same way UDA MCAs went to DCP, we will also leave to Linda Mwananchi,” Lenku said.
His remarks signal growing pressure within ODM as political parties and movements intensify their efforts to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 elections.
Lenku says local supporters built ODM in Kajiado
Lenku argued that ODM’s current political strength in Kajiado was not simply inherited but developed through the efforts of local supporters who remained committed to Raila Odinga’s political legacy.
“ODM we found it weak, and because we respected the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, we made it strong in Kajiado,” he said.
The governor’s comments could potentially deepen debate within ODM over its political alliances and campaign strategy as the party seeks to maintain its influence in different parts of the country.
His threat to move to Linda Mwananchi also comes at a time when several political formations are attempting to attract elected leaders and grassroots networks ahead of the next General Election.
Gachagua expands DCP presence in Kajiado
The dispute comes against the backdrop of increased political mobilisation by Gachagua and his DCP party in Kajiado.
Gachagua has recently intensified grassroots engagements in the county as he seeks to establish DCP as a major political force ahead of the 2027 polls.
The former Deputy President recently received 10 Kajiado MCAs and an aspirant into DCP. The new members were drawn from both UDA and ODM.
Gachagua presented the defections as evidence of growing support for his political vehicle at the grassroots.
He said the leaders told him that their supporters wanted them to join a political formation that would listen to their concerns.
The movement of elected leaders between political parties highlights the fluidity of Kenya’s political landscape less than a year before the 2027 General Election.
