Tensions play out in ODM despite calls for unity in 20-year-old party

It was an event to mark the final day on earth for the man who nurtured them and brought them under one roof — the ODM party. A majestic send-off for a titan who built one of the most dominant parties in the country’s multi-party era.

Yet if the speeches by some of the late Raila Odinga’s allies are anything to go by, a turbulent future may await the 20-year-old party as members grapple with the reality of Raila’s absence.

Several party officials urged members to remain united within the party, but others alleged a plot to promote divisive politics that could harm ODM’s cohesion.

While most speakers called on members to continue supporting the broad-based government, others demanded the implementation of the ten-point agenda agreed upon with President William Ruto’s UDA.

On the flip side, the party’s Secretary-General, Edwin Sifuna, told mourners that Raila had reminded them to prepare for the 2027 elections, adding that ODM would follow Raila’s final instruction.

Other speakers, however, claimed that Raila’s last directive was to continue the working relationship with President Ruto’s government.

Nearly all the speakers rallied behind calls for a stronger and more united ODM. Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi (Treasury), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) and Ali Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy) declared that they would not betray Raila.

To reinforce the message of unity, party chairperson and Homa Bay Governor, Gladys Wanga, invited the Luo Council of Elders Chairman Odungi Randa who urged members to remain firmly within the Orange Party. Randa also called on the younger generation to stay united ahead of 2027.

“Let us remain united. Raila had united us. I also urge Gen Z’s to unite so that we can vote well,” he said.

“The loss of our father has put us in a sad mood. It’s so unfortunate that we no longer have him with us. We thank Mama Ida Odinga for standing with Baba always. What Baba blessed us with is the ODM Party, which has existed for the last 20 years and has members all over Kenya. We remain focused as we mourn Raila Odinga, who is loved across the country,” said Wanga.

She appealed to President William Ruto to consider renaming the 60,000-seater Talanta Stadium, currently under construction, to Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium in honour of the late leader.

“We are in a broad-based government, and that’s where we stand to date. We will not go against it,” she added, maintaining that Raila left them with that instruction.

According to Sifuna, however, Raila told them last month at a Nairobi hotel that they should start preparing for elections. He vowed to ensure that ODM remains strong.

“I will not be part of the team to kill ODM,” he said, adding that the party was one of Raila’s biggest legacies. “Raila was not just listening to ODM; he prioritised the people.”

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Mbadi said party members will be given direction in the next 30 days but maintained that the party is firmly in government.

Similarly, Seme MP James Nyikal, the chairman of Duol, a caucus of Luo MPs urged members to remain steadfast in the party.

 “We will make this ODM Party survive out of respect for the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Baba used to listen to Kenyans, and I encourage other leaders to do the same,” he added.

One of the three Deputy Party leaders Godfrey Osotsi urged president Ruto to implement the 10-point agenda that the party had signed with UDA.

“He (Raila) will be happier if the 10-point agenda is implemented the way he wanted. He had also said that by March next year, all those items will be implemented,” said Osotsi.

CS Mbadi said the party members will be given direction in the next 30 days but maintained that the party is firmly in government.

Similarly, Seme MP James Nyikal, the chairman of Duol, a caucus of Luo MPs urged members to remain steadfast in the party.

“Raila said that ODM is our party. In our last meeting, he said that we must remain united. ODM is our party, and if we leave it, we will be lost,” said Nyikal.

Earlier, Raila’s younger sister, Ruth Odinga, warned those who might attempt to destroy the party he built over two decades.

Ruth, who revealed that her brother died while still crying for Kenya, urged ODM supporters to remain united.

“The party belongs to all of us, and a few people should not try to take it down,” said Ruth.

Raila’s death came at a time when internal rivalries had begun to emerge within the party, prompting him to attempt reconciliation efforts.

That heavy responsibility now rests on the shoulders of his brother, Oburu Oginga, who has been appointed acting party leader.

In his final days, Raila had been grappling with internal squabbles within ODM and had been forced to defend allies such as Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo on several occasions.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, another ambitious politician, has also been at the receiving end of criticism from sections of ODM stalwarts keen to dim his political star. Coupled with local rivalries for similar seats, these tensions place the party on edge — and how its leaders navigate them will determine ODM’s future.

Yesterday, a section of mourners called for Babu to address the crowd, but the request went unheeded.

Other party members vowed to remain steadfast and rebuild ODM. 

“Not many people know that Ruto was a founder member of ODM. Baba never betrayed the people of Kenya,” said Ayacko.

Mombasa Governor and Deputy Party leader Abdulswamad Nassir said that the party will either be in government in 2027 or part of government.

His Siaya counterpart, James Orengo, challenged President Ruto not to kill parties and maintained that the spirit of the Luo community is to speak truth to power.

In an apparent call for the party members to remain steadfast, he said the people must stay in their house even if it is leaking.

“The legacy of Raila Odinga will not be kept by mere speech. It is to make sure that the gains we made will not be lost. I am confident that when you (President Ruto) consider the agreement between ODM and UDA, this will be fulfilled,” he said.

Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati, for his part, insisted that ODM’s journey was just beginning and pledged to strengthen the party.