The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has replaced Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi with Governor Wilber Ottichilo as the party's patron in Vihiga County, extending a series of leadership changes as the party strengthens its grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The appointment was announced during a county delegates' meeting, where party officials said the restructuring was intended to inject fresh leadership and remove officials who were no longer advancing ODM's agenda.
Officials said the changes targeted leaders who were "not championing the party's interests" as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.
Accepting his new role, Ottichilo said the leadership changes were necessary to restore cohesion within the county branch after months of internal wrangles.
"In the past few months, the party has not had a proper direction. There have been divisions among the leadership," he said."It is good that ODM is putting in place a leadership that will move the party forward."
The latest development marks another setback for Osotsi, who was earlier removed as ODM deputy party leader during the party's Special Delegates Convention after delegates declined to endorse his candidature. The convention retained other senior party officials while ushering in a broader leadership overhaul under the new ODM leadership.
Political observers view the latest changes as part of ODM's ongoing efforts to consolidate its leadership amid growing divisions over the party's cooperation with President William Ruto's administration.
Osotsi has been closely associated with the Linda Mwananchi Movement led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, which has insisted that ODM should remain an independent opposition party despite its working relationship with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The faction has consistently criticised the government over the cost of living, governance, accountability and public policy, arguing that the party should continue holding the government to account.
Its position has increasingly placed it at odds with another wing of ODM led by party chairperson Gladys Wanga, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, who have openly embraced closer cooperation with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
ODM and UDA are currently pursuing formal coalition talks ahead of the 2027 General Election, building on the broad-based government arrangement that has brought the two parties together on several legislative and governance matters.
The Vihiga reshuffle follows recent leadership changes that have affected several figures linked to the Linda Mwananchi Movement, including Sifuna, who has since lost both the ODM Secretary-General position and the Senate Deputy Minority Whip post, reinforcing the party's ongoing internal realignment ahead of the next election.