The Western Kenya region leaders like Budalang'i's Ababu Namwamba, Funyula's Dr Paul Otuoma and Sirisia's John Waluke have resigned from ODM leadership as Secretary General, Vice Chairman and Bungoma County ODM chairman respectively. They termed disloyalty, disrespect and neglect as their main concern for their resignation.
But one outstanding thing is that the leaders have failed to dump the party. They have resigned in the wake of Western Kenya region rebellion of the ODM party and other leaders of the Western region have even met President Uhuru Kenyatta. Why are the leaders afraid to leave ODM party?
Are they afraid to lose their seats being that Western Kenya region is a stronghold of ODM?
The likes of Ken Lusaka, Fred Gumo, Musikari Kombo among others of former New-Ford Kenya met the president having called on other Western Kenya leaders to join them in uniting Luhya people and joining Jubilee party to form a coalition that will make the next government.
However, Ababu Namwamba and Dr Paul Otuoma have stated that they will not leave ODM party even after resigning from the party leadership. They have stated that they will continue being in ODM and will fight for their position in the party's heirarchy. They have also said they will not join Jubilee party in anyway.
Anyway, the ODM leadership should solve disgruntlements in the party and help the party forge forward towards the 2017 elections. The disgruntlements will only make it hard for ODM and the Cord coalition to stage a competitive race in 2017.