ODM elects new Homa Bay County officials with Peter Kaluma as chairman

The Orange Democratic Movement has concluded elections for its Homa Bay County leadership, ushering in a new team amid heightened internal tensions within the party. Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has been elected the new County Chairman, taking over from Governor Gladys Wanga, who assumed the role of ODM’s national chairperson in 2024. Kwabwai MCA and County Assembly Majority Leader Richard Ogindo has been elected Deputy Chairman, while Kabondo MP Eve Obara takes over as Secretary General. Lucy Manyala has been named Organizing Secretary, and Ouma Odongo is the new Treasurer. In the party leagues, Pemela Odira of Rusinga Island becomes the Women’s League Leader, and Abdi Kasim will head the Youth League. The elections come at a time when ODM is grappling with internal divisions over how the party should relate to President William Ruto’s administration. Two factions have emerged—one aligned with Party Leader Oburu Odinga and national chair Gladys Wanga, and another associated with Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, MP Babu Owino, and MP Winnie Odinga. Some ODM leaders have accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of interfering in party affairs, intensifying disagreements that followed the removal of Sifuna as secretary general. National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and Governor Wanga have publicly linked the party’s turmoil to alleged external influence after the death of longtime ODM leader Raila Odinga in October last year. Meanwhile, Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, who previously served as deputy secretary general, has taken over Sifuna’s role and will oversee the party secretariat as ODM prepares for its National Delegates Convention scheduled for March 27, 2026.