Revolt in ODM: Women Leaders Demand End to Catherine Okoth’s Reign in Nairobi

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A storm is brewing within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as a groundswell of discontent among women leaders threatens to upend the longstanding leadership of Nairobi County Chairlady, Catherine Okoth.

At the heart of the unrest is a bold and coordinated campaign led by Rosemary Okuta, an emerging political figure who is rallying grassroots support for a more inclusive and transparent leadership within the ODM women’s league. The group of dissenting women accuses Okoth of monopolizing the Nairobi chairlady seat, alleging it has remained tightly in the hands of her close family allies for far too long.

“For too long, this office has remained under the control of a few individuals, making it hard for fresh voices to rise,” said one of Okuta’s vocal supporters during a press briefing held in Nairobi.

The women leaders argue that the current leadership is out of touch with the realities faced by ordinary women in Nairobi and has failed to inspire confidence or foster unity within the party. They are demanding immediate internal reforms, starting with fresh elections to open up the leadership space.

Okuta, whose candidacy is gaining momentum, is being hailed as a symbol of a new era—one marked by energy, inclusivity, and genuine representation. “Catherine Okoth has had her time. It's time to let others lead. We cannot keep recycling the same leaders and expect different results,” she declared during a recent rally.

The group warns that failure to act could deepen internal divisions and erode trust in ODM’s internal democracy. “We are ready for leadership that listens, engages, and reflects the true face of the women in ODM,” said another member of the coalition.

Sources within ODM suggest that the pressure is being felt at the highest levels of the party, with insiders acknowledging that the calls for reform are too loud to ignore.

As tensions mount, the spotlight is now firmly on the ODM national leadership. Will they heed the call for fresh elections—or risk a widening rift that could fracture the party’s base in Nairobi?

One thing is clear: the winds of change are blowing through ODM, and the women at the helm of this movement are not backing down.


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