- On Wednesday, ODM proposed Suna East MP Junet Mohammed to replace Wandayi as Minority Leader
- Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo was also elevated to Minority Whip taking over from Junet
Image: ODM/X
ODM officials from Nairobi county have thrown their weight behind Kisii Governor Simba Arati for the deputy party leader's seat in what appears to be a delicate transition for the 19-year-old outfit.
In a statement to newsrooms, Nairobi ODM chairman George Aladwa said Arati should be considered when filling the two vacancies.
The two slots were left vacant following nomination of former governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) to CS positions in the broad-based government by President William Ruto.
Ruto also nominated national chairman John Mbadi and Political Affairs Secretary and National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi to Treasury and Energy dockets.
The four resigned from their party positions on Wednesday as the law currently does not allow state officers to officiate political partes.
They, however, remain party members of the ODM.
Aladwa said Kisii is one of ODM strongholds that did not benefit from the ministerial nominations and thus should be rewarded with a senior party position.
The region did not benefit from parliamentary Minority leadership positions.
On Wednesday, ODM proposed Suna East MP Junet Mohammed to replace Wandayi as Minority Leader.
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo was also elevated to Minority Whip, taking over from Junet.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi replaced Mbadi as the chairman of the powerful Public Accounts Committee while Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo will deputise Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe at the Agriculture committee.
"ODM officials from Nairobi county unanimously endorse Kisii Governor Simba Arati for the position of the deputy party leader," Aladwa said.
Being a good mobiliser, the Makadara MP said, the party stands to gain from Arati's leadership.
"Arati has been steadfast in the party and has contributed immensely to its growth both in Nairobi where he served as an MP and presently in Kisii county."
Before he was elected as the second Kisii county boss, Arati served as MP for Dagoretti North for two terms.
"He is a good listener and works closely with the youth and his elevation to this position to engage them and mobilise them into working with our party," Aladwa said.
"We appeal to our Party leader Raila Odinga to consider Governor Arati."
ODM has not indicated when it will fill the vacancies but insiders say the party leadership will cherry-pick replacements on an interim basis.
The party had scheduled grassroots election for April but was indefinitely postponed, citing floods.
"Large sections of the respective counties are experiencing floods and related challenges occasioned by ongoing heavy rains," said National Election Coordination Committee chairperson Emily Awita.
"Having reviewed the ground situation and assessed the requests, the NECC wishes to announce that the elections scheduled for 27, 29 and 30 April are temporarily postponed. These will resume as soon as the situation has improved."