Oburu to ODM Dissidents: Choose Your Side or Leave
Oburu said ODM could not accommodate leaders who opposed its current political direction while simultaneously remaining within the party, challenging them to openly declare whether they supported or rejected the broad-based government arrangement.
NAIROBI, Kenya – Siaya Senator and ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga has urged dissident politicians within his own party to either take a clear stance or depart, as the rifts within the Orange Democratic Movement continue to widen ahead of the upcoming 2027 General Election. Oginga emphasized that the party cannot tolerate leaders who oppose its current political course while still remaining in the party, challenging them to openly declare whether they support or reject the broad-based government.
Addressing a broad-based government meeting in Naivasha, Oginga defended the ODM's collaboration with President William Ruto's administration, despite the fierce political rivalry between the two sides during the 2022 election. The comments come in the wake of a significant internal battle within the ODM, with factions supporting the party's cooperation with Ruto clashing against those who oppose the arrangement.
The divisions have been most apparent in the clash between Oginga and former ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, with the two camps holding starkly contrasting views on the party's political trajectory and leadership. Oginga has previously instructed dissenting members who oppose ODM's negotiations with Ruto and the United Democratic Alliance to leave the party, stating that the organization would not tolerate rebels undermining its direction.
The internal disputes have also affected the party's electoral strategy. In April, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, along with other ODM legislators, opposed a proposed political zoning plan, warning that such an agreement could prioritize personal interests over those of their constituents. The debate over zoning threatened to undermine the broad-based arrangement if implemented before the 2027 elections.
The disagreements over the ODM's direction have also involved the party's younger leaders and senior officials, as a faction of the ODM youth rallied behind Sifuna following criticism from senior party figures. This illustrates the growing generational and ideological rifts within the movement.
Despite the internal strife, Oginga sought to present ODM's decision to work with Ruto as a pragmatic response to their 2022 presidential defeat. He recalled the era when ODM supporters protested against the Ruto administration, noting that the political relationship has since evolved into a strong bond.
Oginga's remarks underscore the extent of the political shift since the 2022 election, when the ODM was firmly in opposition before entering into a working relationship with the Kenya Kwanza administration. This partnership, however, has presented ODM with a challenging balancing act, as some members argue that collaboration with Ruto may weaken the party's traditional opposition status, while others advocate for the alliance to be utilized for gaining influence within the government and preparing for the next election.
Oginga also defended the ODM's longevity and organizational structure, dismissing rival political parties as temporary entities that emerge around election cycles before disappearing. He claimed that the party's organizational model has attracted attention from other political formations eager to replicate its grassroots network, stating that many admire the ODM for its enduring structure.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
