A top Orange Democratic Movement party official died on Monday in Kakamega, amidst on going campaigns to revamp the party that once controlled Kenyan politics.
Fred Munzala, the Ikolomani Sub Branch chair died on Monday night in Kakamega. He's credited for transformation of the party's fortunes in Ikolomani and Kakamega County at large.
In a statement through official Twitter handle, the party described him we a loyal member who contributed immensely to the growth of the party in the country.
"We mourn the passing on of Mr Fred Munzala who until his untimely death yesterday was the Party Acting Chairman, Ikolomani Branch in Kakamega County. We have lost a loyal member of the party & a man who contributed immensely to the growth of the party in Ikolomani. May he RIP," read the statement.
ODM party has struggled to stamp it's authority in the former Western Province, with former Kakamega Senator Bonnie Khalwale often poking holes to the party's general coordination.
For months now, Khalwale has been taking party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala head on, claiming that they are unable to overturn the party's supposed dwindling fortunes.
"Edwin Sifuna is a nobody in the politics of this country! He is nothing! He has contested in Bungoma, in Kanduyi constituency, and he has not been able to go beyond nominations,” Khalwale said recently.
Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who doubles as the party deputy leader, has often said the orange party still enjoys support across the country. The death of Munzala comes at the time when the party is doing serious grassroot mobilisation.
In April, ODM lost Ugenya and Embakasi South constituencies by-elections and days later, it's candidate withdrew from Wajir West by-election.