Members of Parliament allied to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have appealed to party leader Oburu Oginga to urgently step in and resolve growing internal disputes, warning that the divisions could severely weaken the party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The lawmakers, led by Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo, said ODM is facing an escalating leadership crisis following the death of its founder Raila Odinga, with internal disagreements now spilling into the public domain and damaging the party’s image.
ODM Leaders Warn of Deepening Divisions
Addressing the media, the MPs expressed concern that infighting among senior party officials has begun to undermine unity and erode public confidence in ODM’s leadership.
At the centre of the dispute is an ongoing war of words between Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, who have publicly traded accusations over the alleged mismanagement of campaign funds during Raila Odinga’s unsuccessful 2022 presidential bid.
The legislators warned that such public confrontations, especially involving officials holding positions of trust, could cripple ODM’s cohesion at a critical political moment.
Call for Internal Dialogue and Party Discipline
Speaking on behalf of the group, Otiende Amolo urged the feuding leaders to abandon public confrontations and instead resolve their differences through internal party mechanisms.
“Given the positions of trust bestowed upon them, we urge party officials such as Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed to desist from public verbal slurs and return to the table for internal discussions,” Amolo said.
The MPs stressed that ODM’s strength has historically been anchored on discipline, consultation, and unity — values they say are now under threat.
Pressure Mounts on Oburu Oginga
The lawmakers called on Oburu Oginga, who succeeded Raila Odinga as party leader, to urgently convene ODM’s governing organs to mediate the disputes and restore cohesion.
They warned that failure to act swiftly could further deepen factionalism within the party and weaken its preparedness for the 2027 polls.
List of MPs Supporting the Call
The appeal was jointly signed by several ODM legislators, including:
- Millie Odhiambo (Suba North)
- Tom Odege (Nyatike)
- Martin Owino (Ndhiwa)
- Aduma Owuor (Nyakach)
- John Ariko (Turkana South)
- Catherine Muma (Nominated MP)
The leaders reiterated that ODM must prioritise unity and internal stability to remain politically competitive nationally.
ODM at a Crossroads
With the party navigating a post-Raila era for the first time in decades, the unfolding tensions have highlighted the challenges facing ODM as it seeks to reposition itself ahead of 2027.
Observers note that how Oburu Oginga handles the current crisis could determine whether the party regains internal harmony or slips into prolonged factional struggles.
