By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 3 January 2026 - The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has been thrust into the spotlight again, not for its policies or coalition strategy, but for internal rifts that threaten to overshadow its political ambitions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Cabinet Secretary for Energy James Opiyo Wandayi has sounded the alarm, calling for discipline and respect within the party ranks.
Speaking at a public baraza at Mahaya Vocational and Technical College in Rarieda, Wandayi left no room for ambiguity.
“ODM is a big party, and its leaders must treat one another with respect. Open insults and constant public attacks weaken the party from within,”he said, singling out Secretary General Edwin Sifuna for exemplifying the growing culture of public confrontation.
He urged party organs, particularly ODM National Vice Chairman Otiende Amollo, to ensure that disciplinary measures are taken against members undermining unity.
Wandayi warned that without restraint, ODM’s cohesion could fracture at a moment when clarity and discipline are needed more than ever.
Oburu’s Call for Unity
Wandayi’s call mirrors the message from party leader Dr Oburu Oginga Odinga, who has repeatedly urged members to respect institutional channels rather than airing grievances in public.
“Nothing has gone haywire. These issues are far from irreconcilable and will be resolved through proper party processes,” Oburu said, emphasising that while he is “the automatic presidential candidate at the moment”, any aspirant can still seek nomination through NEB clearance and NDC approval.
Oburu frames his temporary status as a strategic necessity—strengthening ODM’s position as an equal partner in coalition talks—while signaling that internal debate remains healthy, but must remain disciplined.
Factional Lines: BBG and Party Identity
The debate over ODM’s Broad-Based Government (BBG) arrangement with President William Ruto’s administration has exposed clear factional divisions.
Leaders like Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Vihiga Senator Geoffrey Osotsi argue that the party risks diluting its identity by engaging government without clear legal and institutional safeguards.
Orengo warned: “ODM is not a party that belongs to the praise-and-worship type of formation. Any engagement must be sanctioned and properly structured by party organs.
Sifuna echoed this stance, insisting that ODM must follow rules and processes, resisting ad hoc agreements that could compromise its negotiating position.
Osotsi added that the BBG framework, as currently implemented, risks confusing party supporters and weakening public perception of ODM as a principled opposition.
On the other side of the debate, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed has accused critics of undermining party cohesion.
More from Kenya
“You cannot love ODM and at the same time wreck it from inside,” Junet said, cautioning that public pronouncements should not pre-empt formal party decisions.
He insisted that strategy, alliances, and engagement with government should be determined collectively by ODM top organs and the National Delegates Convention (NDC), not through factional messaging.
Amollo, seeking to strike a conciliatory tone, assured supporters that ODM remains resilient and united.
He revealed that the party intends to negotiate a pre-election agreement with UDA, emphasising that any coalition discussions will be conducted on equal terms.
“We approach negotiations as equals, backed by leadership and internal consensus,” he said, echoing Oburu’s emphasis on structured engagement.
The internal struggle comes amid shifting voter preferences. Infotrak polls show ODM holding 19 percent national support trailing the ruling UDA at 23%, with 16 of voters undecided.
Political analyst Omondi Tol, note that this fluidity amplifies the consequences of internal squabbles, as perception of party disunity could drive away wavering supporters ahead of the 2027 contest.
Discipline Beyond Politics
Wandayi tied discipline to development, highlighting glaring inequalities in Siaya County.
He noted that while the county received KSh 2.2 billion to connect 20,000 households, Rarieda received only KSh 3.57 million for 4,000 households.
“This shows that coordinated leadership and discipline are essential for effective representation,”he said, framing party cohesion as integral not only to politics but to governance.
With a National Delegates Convention scheduled for June ODM faces a defining moment. Leadership must reconcile ideological purists with pragmatic strategists, settle the BBG question, and map out the coalition strategy and presidential candidacy.
Dr Oburu remains confident that the NDC will provide clarity and restore unity.
Whether discipline measures called for by Wandayi will cool tensions or inflame them remains to be seen.
What is clear is that ODM’s internal debate has become public and intense, forcing the party to confront questions of leadership, unity, and strategy before the 2027 elections.
In the coming months, how ODM resolves these fault lines will determine whether it consolidates its base and appeals to undecided voters—or risks fracturing ahead of one of Kenya’s most consequential political cycles.
Discover more Kenya updates
