In a fiery appearance on Siaya’s premier talkshow HARD TALK, Siaya Township Ward MCA James Obiero Otare urged Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national leaders to rally together and fend off external influences threatening the party’s cohesion. With ODM grappling with deep-seated divisions following the recent passing of its iconic founder Raila Odinga, Otare warned that infighting could erode the bargaining power Raila built over decades.
“Raila knew very well that a strong ODM Party gave him the bargaining power on the national table,” Otare declared. “Egoism and infighting should not be allowed to cause rifts in ODM. Whatever the outcome of the 2027 presidential election, we need a strong, unified party to be of consequence.”
Otare’s plea comes amid escalating ODM succession battles, where young turks like Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna clash with veterans, including Raila’s brother Oburu Odinga, over the party’s direction.
Analysts warn that without unity, ODM risks fracturing like Ford Kenya in the 1990s, potentially handing rivals like President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) an edge in 2027.
Otare implored leaders to “sacrifice everything for cohesion in this challenging phase of our history,” echoing calls from grassroots members in Siaya for a single voice to honor Raila’s legacy of democracy and social justice.
Shifting to local woes, Otare blasted powerful cartels for throttling Siaya town’s growth. He spotlighted prime land grabs, including the plot opposite Co-op Bank facing Ahindi Gardens—earmarked for a cabro-paved area but stalled by a private title deed holder who sued the county for trespass and won a court stay.
“It’s at the very center of Siaya town, but our hands are tied,” he lamented. Similarly, the overgrown bush in front of the governor’s office remains an eyesore due to private ownership disputes.
These cartel-driven barriers, Otare argued, have scared off investors and stifled business opportunities in Siaya. He also pinned blame on the stalled Siaya bus park—80% complete but halted because the contractor demands payment.
Despite Governor James Orengo’s vision to transform Siaya into a modern metropolis, Otare noted a glaring lack of goodwill and trust from landowners, compounding funding delays that have plagued infrastructure projects across the county.
On the contentious Yala Swamp Delta investment, Otare didn’t mince words: the 66-year lease to Lake Agro Limited was awarded “criminally.” He accused former Governor Cornel Rasanga’s regime of opaque dealings with Dominion Farms Limited, which occupied 3,200 hectares for sugarcane before handing over to Lake Agro, expanding to 3,600 more hectares.
Despite the Siaya County Assembly’s pleas to the National Land Commission for intervention, progress has stalled. Governor Orengo has pushed for revocation, but court battles and community outrage persist, with locals demanding fair benefits and land sovereignty.
Speaking with raw passion, Otare insisted Siaya’s deep-rooted problems won’t vanish with a new governor alone. “The people must take leaders to account—turn out en masse for public participation and demand doable projects,” he urged. Addressing a query on his education, the MCA revealed he’s a fourth-year student at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), pursuing a degree in leadership.
Otare clarified the JOOUST campus withdrawal from Siaya, blaming politicians for politicizing it. The university sought a leasehold before relocating three faculties, a national government matter—not county. Siaya allocated 54 acres for development, yet it remains undone.
A self-made leader, Otare thanked Siaya voters for his longevity in politics—from bicycle bodaboda rider at the Siaya bus park to councillor, mayor, and now MCA. “If it’s a degree, I’m soon having one, and I can comfortably serve in whatever capacity they deem fit,” he said. He hailed Siaya’s youth for holding leaders accountable and praised HARD TALK moderator Lawrence Jeffrey for amplifying voices against power.
As ODM navigates its post-Raila era and Siaya battles development hurdles, Otare’s candid call resonates: unity and accountability are key to progress.
