ODM Party’s national chairman ODM John Mbadi is a man in critical situation since his botched mission to execute the impeachment of Migori governor Okoth Obado.
His troubles are tracing back to his beef with the Suna East Mp Junet Mohamed and ODM secretary Edwin Sifuna.
But the many wars between different factions in the party are not expected to end any soon with the other one pitting Junet and followers on one side and Senator James Orengo on the other side.
Mbadi is struggling to steer the burning party in troubled waters as many many members complain of losing their positions in the ‘kitchen’ of the party leader Raila Odinga.
The wars got worse after Raila and his handlers preferred the sycophantic and controversial Junet as the most trusted political confidant of the party leader.
Mbadi has then resorted to forming his own team of associates that mostly comprise of people who are marketing the BBI report.
The ODM Chairman has repeatedly expressed feelings that the likes of Junet joined the party late and have no genuine interest in the party.
But the late comers have pushed Mbadi to the periphery, the protect Raila from supporters in rallies and funerals in a manner that leaves Mbadi as visitor in the party he chairs.
Things got worse after the failed plot to impeach Obado pushed vocal party members like Sifuna to treat Mbadi as a man with a big office but a small role.
Sifuna is almost the second in command now leaving Mbadi to work as a subordinate.
This working relationship between ODM leaders has exposed their weaknesses and inefficiency with questions being asked about who really calls shots at the party.
Most members and officials pledge their allegiance to Raila and that’s all. Mbadi for instance is not paying attention to the complaints that they are running down the party.
ODM party chairman remains in the spotlight but business is good for him as his hotel is winning bids to single-handedly host conferences in open-bidding tenders.
And Mbadi his group has also managed to uproot ODM groups that were visible during the 2017 campaigns and reduced them to members of the party’s cheering squad.
But the credibility, integrity and performance of Mbadi has exposed the internal warring groups in ODM.
