Questions over the legitimacy of the new Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leadership, source of millions for flashy grassroots mobilisation drives, and a planned 2027 elections deal with President William Ruto have engulfed the 20-year-old political outfit.
The death of its pillar and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga three months ago has led to the emergence of two factions, both claiming to be holding tight and promoting the ideals of the party.
One faction, led by Raila’s elder brother, Dr Oburu Odinga, who is the party leader, deputy party leaders Simba Arati and Abdulswamad Nassir, Chairperson Gladys Wanga, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, among others, has been moving around the country in mobilisation rallies under the banner of ‘Linda Ground’ (Protect the bases).
Another faction, led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Deputy Party Leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya governor James Orengo, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, among others, has also embarked on parallel rallies dubbed ‘Linda Mwananchi’ (Protect the people).
On Friday, Dr Oginga, in a terse statement, hit back, saying Mr Sifuna has been constantly confusing party members on various issues any time he appears in the media for an interview.
“When Sifuna questioned the legality of some national officials on the basis that they were elected by the National Governing Council, he overlooked a fundamental fact: that he himself was elected Secretary General by the same organ in February 2018 and discharged the functions of that office fully and effectively until February 2022, when the National Delegates Convention subsequently endorsed him. One cannot selectively invalidate the very processes that confer legitimacy upon oneself,” Dr Odinga said.
The party leader was responding to remarks made by Sifuna during an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday, where he questioned a number of party decisions, including the legitimacy of the party leader.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna speaks during celebrations marking what would have been the 81st birthday of former Prime Minister the late Raila Odinga at his home in Karen, Nairobi, on January 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
“The interview also contained assertions that misled the public regarding the legitimacy of certain party organs and office holders. ODM has, since its inception, demonstrated fidelity to its constitution and to the rule of law. The same principle has put every individual in their rightful position, including that of Sifuna,” Dr Odinga told Mr Sifuna.
“In July 2025, on the same public platform, he expressed the view that ODM could not afford to wait until 2027 to deliberate on its post-election strategy. Today, he questions the urgency of initiating discussions with potential pre-election partners,” he added.
Dr Odinga told Mr Sifuna that ODM policy is not shaped by individual preference but is the product of structured deliberation through properly constituted party organs.
“The Secretary General has occasionally struggled to distinguish between his personal opinions and official party policy as determined by our constitutionally mandated organs. This has, understandably, created confusion among members and supporters,” Dr Odinga said.
In the interview, Mr Sifuna said the installation of Dr Odinga as the party leader was not procedural and was not done according to the provisions of the party constitution.
"The installation of Oburu Odinga as interim party leader was not procedural in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. What I would have advised, had I been in that meeting, is to allow one of the deputies to act, even for one month, and in three months’ time, call for a special National Delegates Conference (NDC) and do it procedurally and properly," Mr Sifuna said.
Mr Sifuna also questioned the source of funds ODM is using to move around under the Linda Ground movement.
“The money you see being spent in ODM rallies is not coming from ODM headquarters; there is parallel funding for activities clothed in ODM colours,” he said, rejecting reports that his party was funding the events.
“Forget what you hear people saying here. Timothy Bosire, the Treasurer, is also a signatory to the bank accounts, and the last money we expended as ODM officially was for the celebrations in Mombasa, and it was a fraction of what we saw there,” he added.
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
ODM presidential candidate
Seen as among the vocal figures in the party, Mr Sifuna has taken public positions that at times diverged from the party’s official line, particularly on cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration.
Mr Sifuna, for instance, has said the party should field a presidential candidate in 2027 and should not back Dr Ruto, as proposed by a section of ODM leadership.
Mr Sifuna said those not ready or prepared to fly the flag of ODM as presidential candidates should give way to those who are ready.
“We have an opportunity of a lifetime here because of how the votes were split in 2022. Our candidate lost by a margin of 200,000 votes. In my estimation, if we just kept the constituencies that voted for Raila Odinga, we don’t need to do anything else because the person who has lost the biggest chunk of votes is Ruto, and so we would actually win,” Mr Sifuna said.
Dr Odinga on Friday maintained that ODM is still strong and will continue to engage its supporters, consult party organs, and pursue negotiations guided by the party ideology and the interests of the people.
“Our objective remains clear: to build a just, inclusive, and democratic Kenya. I call upon all members to remain focused, disciplined, and committed to our shared vision,” Dr Odinga said.
The first Linda Ground rally was launched in Kamukunji, Kibra Constituency, last month and was attended by Dr Odinga, Ms Wanga, among other party leaders.
The Oburu-led ODM team has since held similar rallies in Kakamega, Busia, Kisumu and Kisii counties, where speakers have been pushing for planned pre-election coalition talks with President William Ruto’s UDA.
Kisumu Woman Rep Ruth Odinga.
Photo credit: File I Nation Media Group
On Thursday, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga also waded into the internal war in the party, questioning some decisions and the sponsors of the Linda Ground rallies.
In a long message posted on her social media account, Ms Odinga questioned where all the money and choppers that the Linda Ground brigade has been using are coming from.
Ms Odinga, who defended Mr Sifuna in his latest scathing attack on the party leadership, said the questions raised by the Nairobi Senator are valid and should be answered by those in leadership.
“If he (Sifuna) questions where all the money for choppers, big tents and ODM-branded T-shirts and caps in the ‘Linda Ground’ conventions is coming from, why should anyone abuse him? He admitted on national TV that the ODM Party has not spent any coin on the campaigns, which run into millions of shillings,” Ms Odinga said.
“In the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the last thing we should do, if we mean well for the party, is to muffle the voices of people like Sifuna. If indeed he is a ‘rebel’, then how many times was Raila Odinga one? Even in the ‘nusu mkate’ government, Raila would still stand his ground,” she added.
Ms Odinga questioned how the party suddenly has money to move around in choppers, saying the government still owes ODM billions in unremitted political parties funding.
ODM party leader Dr Oburu Odinga and other top officials of the political outfit at Sameta grounds in Kisii county on January 25, 2026.
Photo credit: Ruth Mbula | Nation Media Group
“The money flying in choppers, being used to procure big tents and to mobilise and brand crowds in ODM colours, yet the same money cannot be sent to the ODM Party bank accounts, only means one thing: control,” she said.
Ms Odinga also questioned the sincerity of President Ruto in honouring the Memorandum of Understanding between President William Ruto and the late Odinga on the 10-point agenda, saying it is a smokescreen and that he will also not honour the pre-election agreement currently being pushed by the party.
“If President Ruto does not honour an agreement he signed with a man he said helped him steady a ship called Kenya that was sinking following the Gen-Z protests, how sure are you that he will honour the pre-election pact you are all talking about? Will he use a different signature?” she asked.
