For months now, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has been caught in a fierce internal tug of war, its ranks split between the 'Linda Ground' faction led by party leader Dr Oburu Oginga, and the 'Linda Mwananchi' faction fronted by Siaya Governor James Orengo, Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Both sides claim to be the true custodians of Raila Odinga's legacy, but sharp divisions have emerged, chief among them whether to back or oppose President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
The Orengo-led side has accused Dr Oginga’s faction of trading the party's soul for political convenience, while the party leadership has fired back, blaming Orengo's team for tearing the outfit apart from within. Disputes over political zoning have only deepened the cracks.
ODM Party leader Oburu Oginga speaks during the party's Youth Convention at Jamhuri showgrounds in Nairobi on April 20, 2026.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Now, as the storm intensifies, party loyalists are watching closely, with leaders under mounting pressure to pick a side and declare where they truly stand.
Most have tried to play arbitrators to defuse the tension within the party, while others have pressed the party leader to take charge and bring the two groups together.
However, in the eyes of many, they are seen to be sympathetic to the Linda Mwananchi side, who, to them, have been victims of the party’s overreach.
Among leaders seen to be blowing hot and cold are ODM trustees Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, MPs Millie Odhiambo (Suba North) and Dr Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), East African Legislative Assembly member Winnie Odinga, and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang.
Most of them feel the party leadership has not handled the ejection of Mr Sifuna well, as well as other decisions, arguing that the party should first have strengthened itself before going to the negotiating table.
Winnie was among the first to criticise Dr Oginga, questioning his capability to steer the broad-based government and the party, and even held parallel meetings to those of the party leader.
However, her tone later changed. She heaped praise on her uncle and decided to tone down attacks on the Linda Ground faction while embracing Babu and Sifuna, especially after Ida was appointed an ambassador. She even cancelled her planned rally in Siaya when the announcement was made.
In January this year, striking a reconciliatory tone, Ms Ida said that amid all the wrangles in the party, ODM leaders should reflect on what Odinga would have done in such a situation.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna address a Linda Mwananchi politcal rally at Mazembe Grounds in Nakuru City on April 19, 2026.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
"Let us solve the problems of the party by asking ourselves what Baba would do. Your guess is as good as mine. Baba would tell us, let us sit down and talk—and that’s my wish: to talk about our differences,” she said.
However, she has been seen to have a soft spot for the ODM Secretary-General, whom she has at some point referred to as her son.
This week, the Suba North MP came out explaining why she has chosen to ‘sit on the fence’ on the issues affecting ODM.
She said that together with her counterparts, such as Dr Amollo, she had held meetings with Mr Sifuna, as suggested by many, more than once, where they attempted diplomacy and reconciliation.
She later spoke to senior party members in the Linda Ground faction, and they were to have a meeting before the Central Committee session in Kilifi. However, she claimed that goons were sent to attack Mr Sifuna but turned their anger on her when they realised the ODM Secretary-General was not present.
“I took a clear stand for reconciliation and unity. Goons were sent to attack me for seeking a strong and unified party. Hon. Omanyo took a stand to take Sifuna's position.”
She added: “They (Linda Ground) and their masters were not happy that I was attempting to bring our teams together. Let me sit on the fence so long as it is not yours. The buttocks are also mine,” said Ms Odhiambo on her official social media pages.
Apart from these, there are those who have chosen to remain quiet, with nobody knowing where they stand, while Prof Nyong’o has opted to write opinion pieces in the dailies, including the latest on zoning, in which he vehemently opposed the concept as pushed by Dr Oginga, chairperson Gladys Wanga and Junet Mohamed.
“Zoning is unacceptable. It takes us back to a time when politics was shaped by elite agreements and ethnic calculations rather than the will of the people. Accepting zoning would mean replacing open competition with predetermined outcomes,” said Prof Nyong’o in an article.
Speaking on Friday in Ndori, Rarieda Constituency, during the burial of the late Sylvester Akumu Otieno, Governor Orengo asked the ‘fence-sitters’ to join their camp following their statements and actions.
He said the ground is shifting and the time for business as usual is over because the state of the nation demands that people speak truth to power with unwavering clarity.
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga (fourth right) dances youths during the party's Youth Convention at Jamhuri showgrounds in Nairobi on April 20, 2026.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
“We must stop underselling our own potential at the altar of political convenience and finally recognise the strength we already possess. To those who believe in the Linda Mwananchi vision, the time for sitting on the fence has ended. We salute Hon. Ruth Odinga for speaking our language and standing in firm solidarity with Hon Millie Mabona. Do not be intimidated by those in power because your voice is the pulse of the people,” said Governor Orengo.
At the funeral, Dr Amollo laid bare his frustrations with the party leadership when he tried to bring the two warring factions together.
“I am the National Vice Chair of ODM, but the reason I have not joined either side is that I am where Raila left me; I have not moved. But I told Dr Oburu to gather all and scatter none. However, I later learnt of plans to remove Sifuna, and I warned the party leader that the move would hurt the party because it was improper and not procedural, but they went ahead, with only Timothy Bosire, Ruth Odinga and I opposing it,” said Dr Amollo.
He said he will not commit to either one term or two terms for President Ruto until the community knows what it will gain from any pre-election pact.
