In a move that has raised eyebrows and sparked debate, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) recently expelled several MPs who had been advocating for development in their Luo Nyanza constituencies. This decision has left many wondering whether the party’s name, which stands for “Orange Democratic Movement,” is reflective of its internal practices.

The decision to expel MPs for simply lobbying for development projects has left observers puzzled. While it was largely expected that ODM would take this action, one aspect of the expulsion raised concerns. Rongo MP Paul Abuor, who was accused of the same transgressions as the other expelled MPs, was notably absent from the list of those ousted from the party. This has prompted questions about the criteria used to determine who gets expelled and who doesn’t.

Behind this curious turn of events lies an intriguing story that starts at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu. In April 2022, Paul Abuor and two relatives of Siaya Senator Oburu approached the hospital with an offer to sell them land behind the facility. Raila Odinga, the ODM party leader, got involved in the deal and vouched for the individuals claiming ownership of the land. Given Raila’s position at the time, his endorsement carried significant weight.

Aga Khan Hospital, believing they were dealing with legitimate landowners, paid a substantial sum for the property and proceeded to construct a parking space on the land. However, it later became apparent that the hospital had not conducted thorough due diligence before making the purchase. The true owner of the land surfaced, and it was revealed that Aga Khan Hospital had constructed on the property without the necessary approvals, including those from NEMA and NCA.

It appears that the hospital proceeded with construction despite not having the required permits, banking on political connections to shield them from repercussions. However, the political landscape changed after the elections, and Raila Odinga’s role shifted from expected president to former presidential candidate. Subsequently, the actual landowner took the matter to court, seeking the removal of Aga Khan Hospital’s parking space, which was built on their land.

As a result, Raila Odinga is now in a precarious position. He cannot expel Paul Abuor from ODM because he needs Abuor’s influence to protect his interests in the Kisumu land issue, which involves not only the plot behind Aga Khan Hospital but several other parcels of land.

This situation has raised questions about the democratic principles within ODM and whether personal interests and political calculations are taking precedence over the party’s commitment to democratic ideals. As ODM grapples with these internal dynamics, observers and party members alike are left wondering whether the “D” in ODM still stands for “Democratic.”