Uriri lawmaker Mark Nyamita said Thursday he remains committed to the Orange Democratic Movement and plans to run for Migori governor on the party’s ticket in 2027, despite earlier threats to leave.
Nyamita, who has won two parliamentary terms with ODM support, is expected to challenge incumbent Gov. Ochillo Ayacko.
The MP said staying united in ODM serves the interests of the Luo Nyanza region by giving it leverage in dealings with President William Ruto’s ruling United Democratic Alliance.
Nyamita is among several ODM politicians from Nyanza who back the broad-based government and are supporting Ruto’s reelection through the partnership between the two parties.
Nyamita called on ODM leaders to ensure fair and transparent primaries to strengthen the party after the death in October of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Odinga, the party’s longtime leader, was the main force holding ODM together. The party has dominated elections in Nyanza, the Coast, Western and Kisii regions since emerging as a major player in 2007.
“The strength of ODM post-Raila lies in conducting credible party primaries,” Nyamita said. “My position is simple: ODM must conduct credible nominations in the forthcoming elections.”
He said without credible processes, members could feel sidelined and turn to other options.
“It is in the absence of such credibility that some people may be forced to seek other alternatives in the pursuit of great service to our people,” Nyamita said. “But we are clear that we remain united under ODM even as we engage with UDA.”
Fair nominations would help ODM put forward popular candidates able to win seats in Parliament, county assemblies and governors’ offices, he said.
Nyamita pointed to the recent Kasipul by-election, where critics alleged mismanagement of nominations. Some aspirants accused senior officials, including Homa Bay Gov. Gladys Wanga, of favoring one candidate before the process began, prompting several to run as independents.
Nyamita has pledged to unseat Ayacko by addressing key issues in service delivery.
He described Migori’s health care system as broken and said the county lacks basic infrastructure to attract investment, despite its location in the sugar belt, gold resources and border with Lake Victoria.
Nyamita, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2013 at age 32, said his time as Uriri MP has prepared him for the county’s top post.
His latest comments come after reports earlier in the week that he was ready to quit ODM, reflecting tensions within the party as it adjusts to life without Odinga and navigates its cooperation with the ruling coalition.
