David Ouma Ochieng: The Rise of a Political Maverick Eyeing the Presidency

David Ouma Ochieng, a lawyer by profession, burst onto Kenya’s political scene in 2013 at the young age of 28. Elected to the National Assembly on an ODM ticket, he replaced the current Siaya Governor James Orengo as Ugenya MP when the latter became Siaya Senator. Ochieng’s rise to prominence was marked by his quiet confidence and a determined challenge to the established order in the Nyanza region.

“I never looked for the blessings of Raila Odinga, who at the time was the Prime Minister and Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) Presidential candidate when I wanted to become Ugenya MP,” said Ochieng, reflecting on his independent approach.

Unlike his peers, Ochieng’s political style was not characterized by grandstanding or dramatic speeches. Instead, he focused on genuine connections with the grassroots, conducting listening tours and engaging with constituents in informal settings like village gatherings and local markets. His campaign relied on addressing the concerns of his voters rather than making lofty promises.

“Everything seemed to work against my candidature,” Ochieng said in an interview, noting the challenges he faced, including coming from the same ward as Governor Orengo and being a Marachi, a sub-tribe of the Luhya community from Busia County. After winning the ODM nominations with 8,700 votes against his closest challenger, the party denied him the nomination ticket. Ochieng had to go to the High Court to secure his rightful place on the ballot.

In the run-up to the 2013 elections, Ochieng faced significant opposition. “A few days before the elections, Raila was in Nyanza campaigning for party candidates. He organized a big rally in my constituency but did not endorse me, which was terrible for my campaign,” he recalled. Despite these challenges, Ochieng won the election and joined Parliament as one of the youthful MPs on the ODM ticket.

On July 5, 2014, Ochieng, along with 13 other youthful MPs, declared their interest in party positions, causing an uproar within ODM. Raila Odinga described them as ‘young turks’ scrambling for party positions.

“We wanted to take over the party’s leadership, believing that the old guards had caused Raila to lose the presidency in the 2007 and 2013 general elections,” Ochieng explained.

Raila would later meet the youthful MPs and warn them about their rebellion, likening it to a revolt he had witnessed in 1996. Despite the warnings, Ochieng and his colleagues decided to start their own party, contributing funds to establish the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) by December 2016.

In the 2017 general elections, Ochieng defended his seat on the MDG ticket, running a campaign focused on development, transparency, and accountability. His ability to stay above petty political squabbles and focus on issues that mattered to the people set him apart from the established political giants.

Ochieng’s strategic acumen and genuine connection with voters led him to a remarkable victory. “I tried joining NASA using MDG as an affiliate party, but the request was declined. I won the election, but my competitor was declared the winner. We petitioned the outcome, and the battle ended up in the Supreme Court, which called for a by-election,” he said. Ochieng won the Ugenya Constituency by-election in April 2019, defeating the ODM candidate.

In the 2022 general elections, Ochieng retained his seat and got eight MCAs elected on his party ticket in Busia County. However, during an Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting, his party was not recognized as having won in Nyanza, prompting him to decamp to Kenya Kwanza. “I checked how I was being treated and decided to leave. I reached out to President William Ruto and told him I was joining his camp,” he explained.

Ochieng now sits on the Speaker’s panel and the Budget and Appropriations Committee in the National Assembly. His success in challenging the status quo and winning against ODM candidates in multiple elections has marked him as a formidable political force.

Ochieng’s journey from a political novice to a seasoned MP with presidential ambitions is a testament to his resilience, strategic acumen, and unwavering commitment to his vision for the country.

Recently, Ochieng has shifted his focus to Western Kenya, engaging with local leaders and communities to understand their needs and aspirations. These visits are part of his broader strategy to build a coalition that can challenge the traditional power structures in Kenyan politics. His political maneuvers indicate a larger ambition: the presidency in 2027. By positioning himself as a candidate who can bridge regional divides and offer an alternative to the entrenched political elite, Ochieng aims to attract a diverse voter base.

From the outset, Ochieng’s demeanor was one of quiet confidence, a stark contrast to the often fiery rhetoric of seasoned politicians. His approach was markedly different from his peers. He was not one for grandstanding or dramatic speeches; instead, he relied on a genuine connection with the grassroots. His campaign was built on listening tours, where he would patiently hear out the concerns of his constituents, often in informal settings like village gatherings and local markets.

This grassroots approach resonated deeply with the voters. Ochieng’s ability to connect with people on a personal level and address their immediate concerns set him apart from other politicians who often focused on broader, less tangible issues. His success in the 2013 elections was a testament to the effectiveness of this strategy.

Ochieng’s independent streak was evident from the beginning of his political career. “I never looked for the blessings of Raila Odinga,” he said, emphasizing his determination to forge his own path. This independence was put to the test in 2014 when Ochieng and a group of 13 youthful MPs declared their interest in ODM party positions, challenging the old guard. This move caused a significant uproar within the party.

Raila Odinga, the party leader, described them as ‘young turks’ scrambling for party positions. Ochieng explained, “We wanted to take over the party’s leadership, believing that the old guards had caused Raila to lose the presidency in the 2007 and 2013 general elections.” This bold move was indicative of Ochieng’s desire to bring fresh leadership to the party and to Kenyan politics as a whole.

Despite warnings from Raila, who likened their rebellion to a revolt he had witnessed in 1996, Ochieng and his colleagues decided to start their own party. They established the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) by December 2016. This decision was met with skepticism and resistance, but Ochieng’s unwavering commitment to his vision gradually won over many supporters.

In the 2017 general elections, Ochieng defended his seat on the MDG ticket. His campaign was characterized by a relentless focus on development issues, transparency, and accountability. These promises resonated deeply with a populace tired of empty rhetoric. Ochieng’s ability to stay above petty political squabbles and focus on issues that mattered to the people set him apart from the established political giants.

Ochieng’s strategic acumen and genuine connection with voters led him to a remarkable victory in the 2017 elections. “I tried joining NASA using MDG as an affiliate party, but the request was declined. I won the election, but my competitor was declared the winner. We petitioned the outcome, and the battle ended up in the Supreme Court, which called for a by-election,” he said.

In April 2019, Ochieng won the Ugenya Constituency by-election, defeating the ODM candidate. This victory was significant, marking the first time someone had defeated Raila Odinga’s preferred candidate in a by-election since 1994. Ochieng’s success was a testament to his ability to connect with voters and address their concerns directly.

In the 2022 general elections, Ochieng retained his seat and got eight MCAs elected on his party ticket in Busia County. However, during an Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting, his party was not recognized as having won in Nyanza, prompting him to decamp to Kenya Kwanza. “I checked how I was being treated and decided to leave. I reached out to President William Ruto and told him I was joining his camp,” he explained.

Ochieng now sits on the Speaker’s panel and the Budget and Appropriations Committee in the National Assembly. His success in challenging the status quo and winning against ODM candidates in multiple elections has marked him as a formidable political force. His achievements in Nyanza have emboldened him to expand his political ambitions beyond the region.

Recently, Ochieng has shifted his focus to Western Kenya, another politically significant region. His entry into this region signifies his intent to disrupt the influence of both President William Ruto and Raila Odinga, the two dominant figures in Kenyan politics. By establishing a presence in Western Kenya, Ochieng aims to create a broader coalition that transcends regional loyalties and taps into the growing desire for new leadership.

Ochieng’s political maneuvers indicate a larger ambition: the presidency in 2027. His campaign is likely to emphasize his record of independence, resilience, and commitment to development. By positioning himself as a candidate who can bridge regional divides and offer an alternative to the entrenched political elite, Ochieng aims to attract a diverse voter base.

Ochieng’s journey from a political novice to a seasoned MP with presidential ambitions is a testament to his resilience, strategic acumen, and unwavering commitment to his vision for the country. His ability to connect with voters on a personal level, address their immediate concerns, and stay above petty political squabbles has set him apart from other politicians.

As the 2027 elections approach, all eyes will be on David Ouma Ochieng and his bold vision for Kenya’s future. His journey from a political novice to a seasoned MP with presidential ambitions is a testament to his resilience, strategic acumen, and unwavering commitment to his vision for the country. His recent visits to Western Kenya, engaging with local leaders and communities, are part of his broader strategy to build a coalition that can challenge the traditional power structures in Kenyan politics.

Ochieng’s journey has not been without challenges. His decision to decamp to Kenya Kwanza after feeling sidelined in Azimio demonstrates his pragmatic approach to politics. By aligning himself with President William Ruto, Ochieng has positioned himself as a significant player in the current political landscape.

Ochieng’s ability to challenge the status quo and win against ODM candidates in multiple elections has marked him as a formidable political force. His achievements in Nyanza have emboldened him to expand his political ambitions beyond the region. His focus on Western Kenya, another politically significant region, signifies his intent to disrupt the influence of both President William Ruto and Raila Odinga.

By establishing a presence in Western Kenya, Ochieng aims to create a broader coalition that transcends regional loyalties and taps into the growing desire for new leadership. His campaign is likely to emphasize his record of independence, resilience, and commitment to development. By positioning himself as a candidate who can bridge regional divides and offer an alternative to the entrenched political elite, Ochieng aims to attract a diverse voter base.

Ochieng’s political maneuvers indicate a larger ambition: the presidency in 2027. His journey from a political novice to a seasoned MP with presidential ambitions is a testament to his resilience, strategic acumen, and unwavering commitment to his vision for the country. His recent visits to Western Kenya, engaging with local leaders and communities, are part of his broader strategy to build a coalition that can challenge the traditional power structures in Kenyan politics.

As the 2027 elections approach, all eyes will be on David Ouma Ochieng and his bold vision for Kenya’s future. His ability to connect with voters on a personal level, address their immediate concerns, and stay above petty political squabbles has set him apart from other politicians. His journey from a political novice to a seasoned MP with presidential ambitions is a testament to his resilience, strategic acumen, and unwavering commitment to his vision for the country.