ODM party leader Raila Odinga (second left), secretary general Edwin Sifuna (second right) and other top officials after attending the party's Central Committee meeting in Karen, Nairobi on July 29, 2025.
Two factions are said to have emerged in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following the meeting by its top organ on Tuesday.
Sources in the Central Management Committee (CMC) meeting say top officials were split over the party’s backing of the broad-based arrangement between ODM leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto.
The development reportedly made Mr Odinga propose the formation of a technical committee that will review the implementation of the 10-point agenda.
Mr Odinga is piling pressure on Dr Ruto to protect the right to peaceful assembly and protests, compensate pending claims and protect the rule of law and constitutionalism.
Implementing these demands is likely to cement the deal or rock it ahead of the General Election in 2027.
During the meeting, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, ODM Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Youth League President John Ketora and Women League President Beth Syengo are said to have taken a strong position in supporting President Ruto and the government.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, who has criticised the deal, is said to have received the backing of the two Deputy Party Leaders – Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga Senator) and Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa Governor) – as well as National Treasurer Timothy Bosire against the onslaught by other officials who were demanding Mr Sifuna’s removal from the position.
The meeting questioned Dr Ruto’s commitment in implementing the 10-point agenda that was signed in March.
In January, Mr Bosire rejected President Ruto’s appointment as non-executive chairperson of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
Former Kitutu MP Timothy Bosire.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o is said to have taken a neutral ground, calling out both sides for extreme positions. The sources said Prof called out ODM officials who have started campaigning for President Ruto’s re-election.
“While members arrived here with different viewpoints on many issues in the party and the country, the committee brokered an unbreakable unity of purpose and a single-minded focus on ensuring that ODM continues to be a loyal servant of the people and the country,” the party later said in a statement read by Mr Sifuna.
An official who spoke to the Daily Nation off record said the meeting opened a space for members to audit and question President Ruto’s commitment to the 10-point agenda.
“If the proposed task force comes up with a report and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) side declines to implement it, we will conclude that they are not committed to the MoU,” the official said.
“Some of the issues, like compensation, ending abductions and police brutality, are complex and have political implications. It would be a win for ODM if they are implemented, as they touch the common person.”
“For UDA, compensating victims of police brutality would be an admission to the killings and injuries that took place during the anti-government demonstrations.”
Another official said colleagues took firm positions without being adversarial during the meeting that lasted several hours.
Causing confusion
“There was a feeling that the secretary-general was creating confusion. Some at the meeting were of the view that there would be chaos in ODM if every official were to give personal opinions over party matters,” the official said.
“Members, however, raised concerns with the continued violation of rights and the arrests and abductions of people perceived to be critical of the regime. There was a feeling that, as much as most of the agenda were yet to be fully implemented, there is progress.”
President Willam Ruto confers with ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between ODM and UDA at Kenyatta International Convention Center in Nairobi on March 07, 2025.
As one of the supporters of the broad-based government, Makadara MP George Aladwa – who doubles up as ODM Nairobi Branch chairperson – called on the party to speed up the formation of a technical committee that will work with UDA in addressing issues raised by party members and the public.
It follows resolutions from the Tuesday meeting over concerns raised about commitment to the broad-based government.
The Makadara lawmaker also called for the implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) report, “which is expected to go a long way in promoting and protecting the rule of law and constitutionalism, fight corruption and stop wastage of public resources”.
“We concur with the party support and call for an inter-generational national conclave to deliberate on the issues affecting the nation, with focus on youth agenda,” Mr Aladwa said.
Mr Odinga has found himself attempting to manage the ODM factions.
How he manages the division will have a bearing on the future of the party and its influence going into the elections in 2027.
A team led by Mr Sifuna that is going around the country is attracting young UDA and ODM politicians.
These leaders have also launched an economic empowerment drive designed to counter a similar movement spearheaded by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
Faces in the nascent team include Mr Osotsi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino (ODM), Mr Mohammed Ali (Nyali, UDA), Mr Timothy Wanyonyi (Westlands, ODM), Mr Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache, ODM) and Mr Caleb Amisi (Saboti, ODM).
Mr Odinga has in recent weeks appeared to be struggling to push for the implementation of some of the commitments.
He faces an uphill task in the effort to secure compensation for victims of police brutality. Most of the victims during the 2023 anti-government protests were his supporters.
The Tuesday meeting identified the absence of a technical team as the missing link in implementing the document.
“ODM will constitute a technical team to work with UDA as part of the infrastructure to assist with the implementation of the agreement,” the party said.
“Of great concern is the full implementation of the Nadco report, promotion and protection of livelihoods of young people, the right to peaceful assembly and protests, the rule of law and constitutionalism, fighting corruption and wastage of resources.”
During Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay County last month, President Ruto did not react to a request by Mr Odinga to compensate victims of police brutality.
“An apology is a good first step. But what about the lives lost? The government must compensate the bereaved and the injured to help the nation heal and move in unity and peace,” Mr Odinga said.
According to Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi, ODM has in the past enjoyed massive backing because of championing human rights and devolution.
He said the Kenya Kwanza regime could refuse to implement some of the agreements to deny ODM an opportunity of taking credit.
“I think there is a feeling by the government that Mr Odinga’s allies have benefited from state appointments and, therefore, have no ground to push the government on the commitments,” Mr Mwangangi said.
He added that some of the issues ODM stands for are not in the interest of Kenya Kwanza, saying the President seems more interested in stifling devolution so that leaders continue kneeling for projects at State House.
“UDA is deliberately frustrating their implementation and denying ODM the bragging rights. If the agreements did not have timelines, I advise ODM to go back to the drawing board and agree on when every item should be implemented,” he said.
