A fierce political standoff is brewing within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Turkana County, as two prominent figures; Mzee Lazaro and Paul Lokopir clash over who holds the legitimate title of County Party Chairman.
The power tussle has sparked a supremacy battle that now threatens to split the party’s county leadership, with both men asserting their authority in public declarations.
In an interview with a local media outlet, Mzee Lazaro dismissed Lokopir’s claims to the chairmanship, stating unequivocally that he is the duly recognized ODM Chair for Turkana.
“Mimi ndiye nilipewa kibali ya kuwa ODM Chairman Turkana; kutoka Kapedo mpaka Kibish. Hii mambo ingine ya kulangalanga kusema yeye ni chairman wa ODM hapana,” he said.
Lozaro further referred to Lokopir as the party’s youth leader and urged him to respect the structure of the party and wait for the next internal elections if he is eyeing the chairmanship position.
“Wacha nimalize term yangu. Saa hii kila mtu akae pahali aliwekewa. Huyo kijana anajiita yeye ndiye chairman, alipewa kazi ya Youth Leader. Kama anaona yeye hiyo kiti ni kidogo, angojee wakati wa kupiga kura. Nitasimama na yeye kwa laini,” added Lozaro.
He also dismissed claims of seeking validation from party headquarters, asserting his loyalty and recognition by the ODM party leader.
“Mimi hapana kimbia kwa ofisi ya ODM kila saa kusema saidia. Baba Raila anajua mimi ni chairman wa ODM.”
On the other side, Paul Lokopir has yet to respond publicly to Lozaro’s assertions, but insiders say he maintains he is the legitimate leader of the party in the county — setting the stage for what could be a protracted and messy internal battle.
The ODM leadership at the national level has not yet issued a formal statement on the matter, but grassroots supporters across Turkana are watching closely, wondering who will blink first in this simmering supremacy showdown.
