‘They are coming for you’: Gachagua warns Oburu as ODM leadership fued deepens

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has intensified his criticism of ODM leader Oburu Oginga, expressing doubts about his ability to lead the opposition party in preparation for the upcoming 2027 General Election. Gachagua, speaking in Nyeri, alleged that President William Ruto’s allies within ODM have voiced concerns about Oburu’s fitness for the role, citing his mobility issues and speech impediment.

Gachagua warned Oburu that "they are coming for you" and suggested the pressure for his removal from the party's leadership. This development adds to the escalating conflict over ODM's leadership and direction, with Gachagua seeking to exploit internal divisions to bolster his own political standing ahead of the 2027 elections. Oburu, the brother of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, became ODM leader following Raila's death in October 2025, but his leadership has been contested by factions within the party.

The party's future has become a focal point, especially after Raila's demise, leaving competing factions to determine who will inherit his political legacy. While supporters of Oburu highlight his extensive political experience, opponents argue that the party needs a younger leadership to sustain ODM beyond the 2027 election cycle.

The transition has been fraught with challenges, as evidenced by internal disputes, such as the recent leadership battle over the Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna. The situation has become even more complex with ODM's engagement with Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA), with the party's parliamentary group endorsing Oburu's leadership while simultaneously negotiating with UDA ahead of the 2027 elections.

This arrangement has created an unusual partnership between a traditionally opposition party and the administration it once opposed. Ruto has acknowledged Oburu's leadership within ODM, working closely with the President's administration under the broad-based government. The leadership contest within ODM has become increasingly polarized, with one faction favoring continued collaboration with Ruto, believing it facilitates influencing government from within, while another camp advocates for a more independent opposition stance, fearing that excessive cooperation with the government might dilute ODM's identity and alienate its traditional supporters.

Recent polls indicate that 73% of ODM supporters support the faction aligned with Sifuna, while only 24% favor Oburu's faction, suggesting a strong preference for a more independent, people-centered opposition approach.