By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 12 January 2026 - Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Oburu Oginga Odinga has sought to steady the party amid growing internal disputes, telling leaders that its future will be shaped by listening to members and open dialogue rather than division.
Oburu chaired a meeting of the ODM Central Management Committee in Vipingo, Kilifi County, on Monday, against the backdrop of sharp disagreements over leadership and the party’s political direction.
The meeting came just days after he publicly challenged critics questioning his leadership to face him at the party’s National Delegates Convention (NDC).
Speaking earlier in Siaya County, Oburu dismissed claims that his election was invalid and dared his opponents to test their strength at the party forum.
“Those who are saying that Oburu was not validly elected, I challenge them to go together with me to the NDC if that is what they want [and] I will call the NDC very soon. I challenge them to come. I don’t fear anyone,” he said.
At the Vipingo meeting, however, the ODM Party Leader struck a conciliatory tone, stressing unity, consultation and principled leadership. He said the party would continue engaging its grassroots and the wider public as it shapes policy and long-term strategy.
Oburu also defended ODM’s ongoing engagement with President William Ruto’s administration, arguing that dialogue was aimed at securing tangible political and development benefits for party supporters. He pointed to negotiations that saw senior ODM figures appointed to Cabinet, including Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, Treasury CS John Mbadi and Mining CS Hassan Joho.
The meeting followed recent efforts to remove ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, a move that has since stalled after Migori Senator Eddy Oketch withdrew a petition seeking his ouster.
Oburu later hosted Sifuna at his Nairobi office for talks, describing him as a “sober and principled voice” within the party.
“Differences of opinion do not mean division. Great parties, like ODM, grow through robust debate and unique challenges,” Oburu said, adding that internal dispute resolution mechanisms would be prioritised over punitive action.
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The call for dialogue has also been echoed by Mama Ida Odinga, the widow of ODM founding leader Raila Odinga. Addressing Nairobi MPs on 2 January 2026, she urged rival factions to pull back from confrontation and honour Raila’s vision of a people-centred party.
“It is my wish that we can preserve the party in his honour as a matter of service to our country,” she said, warning that public infighting risked damaging two decades of ODM’s history.
Reflecting on how the late opposition icon might have handled the current standoff, she added: “I am sure Baba would tell us, let us sit down and talk. That is my wish — to sit down and talk about our differences.”
ODM remains split over whether to continue cooperating with President Ruto’s government or to disengage and focus squarely on preparations for the 2027 General Election.
One camp, led by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Sifuna, favours exiting government and charting a new leadership path, with Owino openly signalling ambitions for a senior role.
The opposing faction, associated with Oburu, ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga and several leaders from Luo Nyanza, supports sustained engagement with Ruto to build a broad coalition and strengthen ODM’s influence beyond 2027.
Recent rows have touched on campaign fund management during the 2022 elections, leadership succession and party discipline, with the attempt to de-whip Sifuna now paused to allow dialogue.
Monday’s Vipingo meeting is widely viewed as a bid by Oburu and the Central Management Committee to calm tensions, amplify members’ voices and set a clearer roadmap for ODM as competing visions threaten to pull the party in different directions.
Oburu Rallies ODM to Dialogue and Unity as Party Tensions Simmer
Oburu defends ODM-Ruto ties, pushes party consultation
