A section of ODM legislators have petitioned Senator Oburu Oginga to convene relevant party organs for an internal meeting as leadership wrangles intensify following the death of party leader Raila Odinga.
Since Odinga's death on October 15, 2025, the party has been grappling with internal divisions, particularly over whether to field its own presidential candidate or support another contender in the 2027 General Election.
The party is now sharply divided into two factions: one backing the re-election of President William Ruto, led by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, and another opposed to that position led by ODM Secretary-General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
The rivalry has seen Junet and Sifuna exchange sharp public barbs over the party’s political direction ahead of 2027.
On Monday, five ODM legislators — Dr Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), Senator Catherine Muma (nominated), John Ariko (Turkana South) and Tom Odege (Nyatike) — appealed to Oginga to intervene, urging both Junet and Sifuna to tone down their rhetoric.
From left: ODM Nominated Senator Catherine Muyeka Mumma, Turkana South MP John Ariko, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and Nyatike MP Tom Odege address the media at Parliament Buildings, Nairobi, on January 5, 2026.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Their plea came even as Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi accused some party colleagues of fence-sitting and launched a scathing attack on Senator Sifuna, saying he was “nothing” before ODM made him “something,” and warning that he should not be the cause of the party’s implosion.
'More unity, less confrontation'
Speaking at a press briefing at Parliament Buildings, the five lawmakers said ODM urgently needs unity rather than confrontation, stressing that they are not aligned to any faction but are solely committed to the stability of the party.
Reading their statement, Dr Amollo warned that continued infighting could cost ODM its traditional strongholds as smaller parties move in.
“We are concerned by the spectacle of self-cannibalisation that has been exhibited of late in our party,” said Dr Amollo, noting that ODM remains the largest political party in the country and that Junet is the Minority Leader in the National Assembly.
“Given the positions of trust bestowed upon them, we urge party officials such as Senator Sifuna and Junet Mohamed to desist from public verbal attacks and return to the table for internal discussions,” he added.
“It is for this reason that we request our party leader to move with speed, convene the party organs and help restore public confidence in ODM before we begin to haemorrhage members to insignificant political formations.”
However, Atandi struck a defiant tone, telling Senator Sifuna to “shape up or ship out” and urging ODM leaders to take a clear position ahead of 2027.
“Some people want to bring down ODM because of handouts. You were nothing before ODM made you something,” Atandi said.
“Why wreck the party that built you? Don’t be ungrateful. If you must, then leave the party.”
Atandi also faulted Sifuna for defending former President Uhuru Kenyatta, questioning which ODM organ had authorised him to do so.
“Which party organ told you to apologise to Uhuru Kenyatta?” he asked, adding that blaming Junet for ODM’s loss in the 2022 General Election was diversionary.
The remarks follow Sifuna’s recent criticism of Junet for attacking Kenyatta over his alleged failure to fully support Odinga’s 2022 presidential bid.
“We call upon the party’s elected leadership and the wider membership to uphold the values of unity and camaraderie espoused by the late Raila Odinga,” he said.
“It is time to walk back the rhetoric and come together to build a strong party ahead of the next elections.”
