The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party implosion will be in fresh focus on Saturday when the two warring factions hold different rallies, with one in Siaya and the other in Vihiga and Kakamega, with tension already building up, and the latter group alleging plans by government-backed politicians to disrupt the meeting.
Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga will carry the contest for the soul of the party to the very doorstep of Siaya Governor James Orengo, a fierce opponent of the broad-based government arrangement.
But as he plans a rally in Mr Orengo’s turf, Dr Oginga faces a bigger test.
The Linda Mwananchi (Protect the people) group, led by Mr Orengo, Party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino are expected to hold major rallies in Vihiga and Kakamega the same day.
The Linda Ground (Protect the bases) rally by Dr Oginga will unfold barely 400 metres from the Governor’s office in Siaya town has not escaped the notice of seasoned observers of the region’s shifting political winds.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna addresses supporters in Kitengela on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Photo credit: Stanley Ngotho | Nation Media Group
It is a calculated gesture and a bold declaration staged squarely in the Governor’s political backyard.
The rally, together with a series of activities leading up to it, is widely seen as a move by a faction allied to Dr Oginga to rein in Mr Orengo, who has openly resisted the broad-based government and the proposed pre-election pact with President William Ruto.
The Governor is currently championing a parallel initiative, Linda Mwananchi, alongside other dissenting voices within the party.
Claims of plan to disrupt rallies
On Friday, the Linda Mwananchi group, led by Mr Orengo and ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi alleged plans by government to disrupt the meeting.
They claimed one of their trucks had its windscreen shattered while on its way to Kakamega and accused senior government officials of being behind the plot.
Shortly after the presser ended, a group of youths hurled stones trying to gain entry into the hotel where the two leaders were speaking from.
Police, however, swung in to action and dispersed them using tear gas to ease traffic that had been disrupted briefly along Kisumu/Kakamega Road.
Tension is building ahead of the rally as leaders allied to President William Ruto led by Governor Fernandes Barasa and his Deputy Ayub Savula vowing not to allow any meeting to take place within the town.
Siaya Governor James Orengo (right) and ODM Edwin Sifuna address residents of Ugunja town during a public rally by Linda Mwananchi faction on February 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Dr Oginga and his allies appear determined to douse the growing influence of the Orengo-led camp by consolidating support on the ground and publicly challenging the rebels’ stance — a position that has effectively split the party into two competing currents.
On Wednesday, the ODM Party Leader, who is also the Siaya Senator, convened a high-stakes consultative meeting with a cross-section of county leaders, a strategic prelude to the Saturday Linda Ground rally. This was no routine caucus of party faithful; it was a carefully planned political overture ahead of the weekend showdown.
Conspicuously absent was Governor Orengo. His absence follows his open resistance to the ODM faction edging towards cooperation with President Ruto’s re-election bid.
In his place sat Deputy Governor William Oduol, whose relationship with the county chief has endured more than a year of public strain and ideological divergence.
Those who answered Dr Oginga’s call included his loyal lieutenants: Gideon Ochanda, the MP for Bondo; Elisha Odhiambo of Gem; and Woman Representative Dr Christine Ombaka.
Also present were leaders from Siaya aligned to other political formations, among them Ugenya MP David Ochieng, who is also the party leader of the Movement for Democracy and Growth; Kenya Sugar Board Chairman and former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, who has since joined the United Democratic Alliance Party.
Even so, the absence of several key figures spoke volumes.
Ugunja MP Moses Omondi, Rarieda’s Dr Otiende Amollo, Alego Usonga’s Samuel Atandi and Siaya Speaker George Okode did not attend.
Mr Atandi and Mr Omondi are widely associated with the broad-based political persuasion, while Speaker Okode is regarded as a steadfast confidant of Governor Orengo. Dr Amollo, another ally of the county boss, has adopted a statesman’s posture, positioning himself as a bridge-builder and potential arbiter in the widening rift within the Orange family.
Dr Oginga is expected to be flanked by Deputy Party Leaders Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa) and Simba Arati (Kisii), Chairperson Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Leader of the Minority in the National Assembly Junet Mohammed, Mr Atandi and other party luminaries for the Saturday rally.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati and ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga at Sameta grounds in Kisii County during the 'Linda Ground' function on January 25, 2026.
Photo credit: Ruth Mbula | Nation Media Group
“There is one leader in Siaya who has lost direction, and that is why I am here to bring greetings from Siaya. Since he is lost, Dr Oburu has appointed me commander of Siaya. That is why this Saturday we will have a big rally in the county. Let nobody imagine he alone can carry forward Baba’s legacy,” said Mr Atandi in Mombasa.
The meeting and the planned Siaya rally come barely weeks after President Ruto met Siaya MCAs at the Eldoret State Lodge, a forum where the Governor’s frosty relationship with the Head of State reportedly featured prominently.
The January 10 visit, which aroused considerable curiosity given the strained ties between Governor James Orengo and the President, was attended by 41 of the county’s 42 MCAs.
In the aftermath, reports surfaced of a possible impeachment motion aimed at boxing the Governor into submission. However, MCAs who attended the meeting dismissed such claims, insisting that removing the county boss was not on the agenda. On the contrary, they said, President Ruto extended an olive branch.
“The President acknowledged greetings from Orengo and said he respects him. That is why he sent us to tell the Governor that if he has any issue, he should speak to him and work with him,” Siaya Speaker George Okode told the Nation after the meeting.
Beyond the onslaught from the Linda Ground proponents, Governor Orengo’s critics accuse him of falling short on development and service delivery in Siaya.
But even as pressure mounts, the Governor recently received unexpected backing from his predecessor, Governor Cornel Rasanga, who urged leaders to stop incessant criticism and allow the Governor space to work.
