The Orange Democratic Movement leadership appears to be adopting a strategy of asking politicians dissatisfied with the way the party is being run to leave, instead of seeking dialogue and reconciliation.
The party has come under criticism for intolerance towards dissenting views, particularly following the death of its former leader, Raila Odinga .
During Mr Odinga’s tenure, the party appeared more tolerant of divergent views, with many members free to express themselves even when they occasionally disagreed with or defied him.
ODM Secretary-General Catherine Omanyo last week sparked a heated debate after telling Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku to leave the party and join the political camp he supports.
Kajiado County Governor Joseph Ole Lenku.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Mr Lenku has been critical of the ODM leadership, particularly in Kajiado County, where the UDA-ODM cooperation has complicated his bid for the Senate seat.
“If he wants to leave, let him go and sink. He should not dare drag the entire Maasai community with him as he sinks politically,” Ms Omanyo said while in Butula Constituency, Busia County.
She asked Mr Lenku to resign if he no longer had confidence in the ODM leadership. She also told the governor to step aside and allow his deputy, Martin Moshisho, to take over for the remainder of his term before the 2027 General Election.
Ms Omanyo said Mr Moshisho was capable of running the county and there was no need for Mr Lenku to continue disparaging ODM while remaining a member of the party.
Mr Lenku appears unhappy with the agreement between ODM and UDA, under which State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito is expected to receive support for the governorship, while ODM’s Judy Pareno would be backed for the Senate seat.
The two-term governor has been pushing for his deputy, Mr Moshisho, to be endorsed by ODM for the governorship, while he is given the party’s ticket to contest the Senate seat.
On Thursday last week, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma told Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo to leave the party and prepare to contest through another party or political formation he supports.
Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
“Those who have different views and have left should not continue using ODM to confuse us. If Oundo has left ODM, he should not use the party’s resources or structures to campaign for himself,” Mr Otuoma said.
“Let him go and form his own party. Right now, he is our opponent. Apart from strengthening the party, we are organising ourselves well to face our opponents and campaign for our candidates,” he added.
The governor said that ODM is currently focused on playing a key role in securing President William Ruto's re-election in 2027.
Mr Oundo, who is serving his second term, is aligned with the Linda Mwananchi political formation led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
Mr Oundo has made it clear that he will defend his seat through whichever party or political formation that supports Mr Sifuna, rather than ODM.
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang are among politicians accused of lacking a clear position.
ODM leader Dr Oburu Oginga has also told members who are ‘sitting on the fence’ to leave and join other parties or decide their political future and direction.
“Do not be someone who sits in the middle because we want to know who is with us and who is not,” he said during an ODM-UDA MPs’ conference in Naivasha.
He urged those with questions about the party’s decision to support President William Ruto to raise their concerns publicly instead of criticising the party from within.
On Thursday, Kisii Governor Simba Arati told those who had left the party that they were welcome to return. However, he said they would have to follow the party’s direction and support President Ruto.
“We are welcoming them back, but our focus is strengthening the party and ensuring we bag many seats in the next elections. ODM has one stance, which is supporting President Ruto’s candidacy,” said Mr Arati when he met those who had decamped from Jubilee to ODM from Narok North Constituency.
Linda Mwananchi leaders (from left) Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna attend a public rally at Kivulini Grounds in Thika, Kiambu County, on June 14, 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
The intolerance of divergent views by the party was blamed on the exit of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Political analyst Martin Andati said ODM had leaders who were less tolerant of dissenting views compared with the era of Mr Odinga.
“Even in other parties, not everyone agrees with the position taken by the leadership, but ODM is expelling them. A party is built by bringing people together rather than driving them away,” Mr Andati said.
