Former governor resigns from ODM party

By Peter Ochieng

Former Busia governor Sospeter Odeke Ojaamong has resigned from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

In a letter dated 2nd January, 2024 addressed to the registrar of political parties and copied to ODM Secretary General and Azimio Coalition chairperson, and seen by Nairobi Review, Ojaamong said his resignation takes effect immediately.

“My decision is premised on the fact that my continued membership of this outfit of which I have been a life member for many years is no longer tenable due to a clash of ideological beliefs, community interests’ associations and aspirations and by the fact that my political convictions no longer have convergence or depict common denominator with that of the ODM party, its values and political practices,” he said.

He served as the first Busia governor for two terms, from 2013 to 2022 on the ODM party ticket, before being succeeded by current county chief, Paul Nyongesa Otuoma.

“I, therefore, authorize my resignation by eliminating or deleting my name from the register of the aforementioned political party, pursuant to the Political Parties Act. By this letter, the Orange Democratic Movement is appropriately informed to strike out my name from the party’s official membership register,” he added.

Ojaamong thanked ODM leader Raila Odinga leader for mentorship across the years.

“I am grateful for unwavering support over the years. In a special way, I thank my former party leader Raila Odinga for tutelage and mentorship over the years. It is now upon me to put the community interests above my own, the future is bright.”

Before being elected governor, Ojaamong served as Amagoro Member of Parliament (MP).

Amagoro is now defunct, having been subdivided into Teso North and Teso South.

He vied for the Teso South MP seat in 2022, but lost to United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Mary Emase.

The former governor is expected to declare his next political course of action, in the coming days.