ODM Faces New Storm as Life Members Demand Oburu’s Exit Amid Leadership Rift

Kenya, 18 November 2025 - The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has been thrust into fresh turbulence as a section of its life members launched a bold and unprecedented push to remove Oburu Odinga from the party’s top seat, accusing him of steering the movement away from its founding ideals.

The group, led by Rachael Tabitha, submitted a petition to the National Elections Board (NEB) demanding Oburu’s immediate resignation and a full reset of the party’s leadership structure.

They argue that Oburu and a close circle of allies have sidelined loyal members, violated Article 6.2.2(b) of the ODM constitution, and weakened the party’s long-standing commitment to transparency and internal democracy.

In their petition, the members lament that the party has strayed from the principles on which it was built.

“Many loyal members feel excluded and ignored. This conduct erodes public confidence and contradicts the rule of law that ODM has always championed,” they said.

The life members issued three demands: Oburu’s resignation, an urgent National Delegates Convention (NDC) to address what they term a governance crisis, and fuller recognition of life members’ rights in party decision-making.

They gave the NEB 30 days to act, warning that they will resign from the party if no changes are made, a move they say would honour the legacy of the late Raila Odinga.

The petition marks the strongest internal challenge to Oburu since he was ratified as ODM leader by the National Governing Council on 13 November 2025, weeks after Raila’s death.