The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has launched aggressive grassroots meetings to revive its old networks and fight off encroachment by rivals ahead of the 2027 polls.
The outfit’s top leadership at the weekend held meetings with party delegates drawn from Kisumu in two separate meetings with plans for more engagement in the coming weeks. ODM has also scheduled a political jamboree in Kisumu on May 31.
The grassroots engagements, insiders said, are meant to ward off the growing influence of the rival Linda Mwananchi faction led by ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna. They are also designed to rally for unity and stem any further internal rebellion.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna (left) and party leader Dr Oburu Oginga.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga said the meeting in Nyakach was centred on a unified roadmap for the party.
“We are calling on all members to speak with one voice and respect the strategic decisions of the party hierarchy as we continue to protect our legacy of social justice and devolution,” said Dr Oginga.
“At the Grassroots level we are empowering local leaders and MCA to bridge the gap between the public and leadership through a direct two-way communication system,” said the party leader, adding that “This goes hand in hand with an aggressive membership drive to ensure we have the numbers and the energy required for a decisive 2027.”
ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga said the grassroots meetings are part of the outfit’s preparations for the 2027 contest.
“Our extensive discussions focused on the current status and future of the Party, both regionally and nationally.”
“We resolved to promote party unity, strengthen grassroots support, and empower local party leaders to lead the Party and its activities effectively at the grassroots level,” said Ms Wanga, who is also the Homa Bay Governor.
The heightened meetings come in the backdrop of a perceived dwindling popularity, internal rebellion and quiet succession machinations.
Dr Oginga’s sister, Ruth Odinga, and niece Winnie Odinga, on Friday, appeared to identify with the rival Linda Mwananchi camp of Mr Sifuna in an open defiance of the Linda Ground leadership.
Dr Oginga is also under pressure to end a growing political tension between Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, even as he seeks to protect ODM MPs from Western and Coast over alleged coercion to join President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Linda Mwananchi camp has since emerged as the most popular faction among ODM supporters. The latest Trends and Insights for Africa (Tifa) polls place its popularity at 73 per cent against Linda Ground’s 24 per cent.
On Friday, when Winnie and Ruth were accusing government politicians of not listening to the needs of the people during a burial in Kisii, Dr Oginga was in Nyakach, Kisumu County, rallying for unity, while highlighting gains from the broad-based government.
“We highlighted the tangible gains of our current partnership in the Broad Based Government. By being inside the room, we have secured economic stability with a projected 5.3 per cent GDP growth, ensured the fair distribution of the Sh5 Trillion development budget, and ended the exclusion of our people from national appointments,” said Dr Oginga.
During the recent Mombasa retreat, CS Mbadi said the real problem facing the party is its members who remain undecided.
“We have many here who are unsure whether to support Linda Wananchi or remain here and support mainstream ODM,” the CS said. Winnie, Ruth, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo and Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo are some of the ODM MPs perceived to be undecided on which camp to back.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
“As a founding member of ODM, I will always champion this party. Our unity is non-negotiable. Polls prove that a united ODM is the strongest political force in Kenya, meaning anyone pushing for division is an enemy from within,” said Ruth.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, both principals of the Linda Mwananchi, told Nation that they keep receiving requests from ODM MPs planning to join the camp ‘at the right time’.
“People are just waiting for the right time to jump ship because at the moment it is clear we cannot reconcile and work with them (Linda Mwananchi),” said Mr Omondi. He said the camp’s focus is now on moving to all corners of the country to sell their 2027 agenda.
The faction had planned to hold a rally in Homa Bay on May 31, the same day Linda Ground will pitch a tent in Kisumu. But Mr Omondi disclosed that they have since cancelled the Homa Bay event to avoid engaging in “village politics” with Dr Oginga’s camp. Instead, they now plan to go to Mt Kenya and the Eastern region.
Mr Osotsi also told Nation how efforts to reconcile the two camps have been frustrated by the Ruto factor.
“Efforts to reconcile are there, but the elephant in the room is William Ruto. Linda Mwananchi is saying that we need to manage our relationship with Ruto better.”
Mr Ososti said the reason for the fallout was the rushed decision by Dr Oginga’s camp to back Dr Ruto’s re-election as well as the move to punish those opposed to the broad-based government.
“They proceeded to punish those with divergent views. That has caused a lot of problems. They have realized they have lost ground, and now want us to work together,” said the Vihiga senator, who was kicked out as co-deputy party leader.
“Regions like Western, Nairobi and Coast have greatly shifted. Some of the elected leaders in Linda Ground are talking to us, and saying they will leave ODM at the right time. Some even talk of moving to UDA,” he added.
