First, it was Mudavadi, Wetangula, now it is Malala, will ODM succeed in Luhya politics?
It was expected for ODM to act this way by removing Senator Malala from his position in the Senate. There is no rocket science about it. ODM is on a revenge mission, as there is no love lost between it and the ANC party following its defeat in Matungu by-election. The Matungu constituency seat fell vacant when Justus Murunga died last year.
ODM thought they could snatch this seat from ANC but their hopes went into futile flames as Oscar Nabulindo of ANC won it leaving ODM scratching their bald heads. It is perceived that Cleophas Malala, played a key role in campaigning for ANC, and actually it is through his efforts that ANC won the seat and left ODM in the middle of the road.
The Malala perceived Value has rattled the ODM party and their sweet revenge is to strip him of the seat he held in the Senate as Deputy Minority Leader. Political pundits are actually predicting the demise of ODM in Luhya politics. This is evident as Matungu voters demonstrated that they believe in Musalia Mudavadi than in Raila Amolo Odinga. The recency effect has caused Cleophas Malala to lose his seat in the Senate as Deputy Minority Leader.
His position has been taken by Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo. The rival between ANC and ODM is playing out on the fore months before the general election in 2022. Will ANC wipe ODM entirely from Western politics or will ODM be able to recover. With this trend, it will be impossible for ODM to get more footing in Luhya politics because they seem not to be learning to from their mistakes. First, it was Wetangula, now it is Malala, will ODM succeed in Luhya politics?
