Four months after Raila Odinga’s death, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, which he founded two decades ago and which fronted him in four successive presidential elections, is on the brink of splitting amid a bitter power struggle.
The internal wrangles escalated into a full-blown crisis on Wednesday when Mr Edwin Sifuna, the long-serving and outspoken secretary-general, was dismissed by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC).
However, the decision was overturned by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT), pending a full hearing of a petition filed by Mr Sifuna, who argued he had been unfairly removed without being given an opportunity to defend himself, as stipulated in the party’s constitution.
Ironically, the party that once rallied behind Raila’s presidential bids is now threatened largely by disagreements over cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza government and the selection of its presidential candidate for next year’s elections.
A faction allied to party leader Oburu Oginga backs President William Ruto’s re-election, a plan expected to be formalised through a pre-election coalition agreement with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
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
The rebels, including Mr Sifuna, oppose this arrangement.
President Ruto, who attended ODM’s 20th anniversary celebrations, is eager to secure the party’s support to recover lost ground, particularly in Mt Kenya, which overwhelmingly voted for him in 2022.
In terms of resilience, ODM ranks second only to Kanu, the independence-era party, in an ecosystem where most political parties rarely survive a single electoral cycle. Insiders fear that if internal disputes intensify, ODM — currently described as being in the “high dependency unit” (HDU) — may soon require “intensive care” (ICU) before the end of the year.
The events of the past week have also cast doubt on Dr Oginga’s ability to steer the party left behind by his late brother.
His niece, Raila’s daughter Winnie Odinga, has openly sided with the rebels — arguably the most vocal vote of no confidence in his leadership. Some analysts also link the unrest to infighting within the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family spilling over into the party.
Mr Sifuna, backed by Siaya Governor James Orengo, ODM co-deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, Ms Odinga (also an East African Legislative Assembly MP), Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi and others, drew a line in the sand, signalling a fierce contest for control of the party.
Under the ODM constitution, the secretary-general serves as the party spokesperson, manages the national secretariat, and acts as the principal custodian of party records from the grassroots to the national level.
The secretary-general is also the custodian of all party documents, including the party seal, minutes register, instruments of intellectual property rights, registration instruments, and the registers of party branches and members.
Another key duty of the secretary-general, particularly during election periods, is corresponding and consulting with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) on behalf of the party as its authorised principal officer.
In a press briefing in Nairobi, a day after the NEC expelled Mr Sifuna, the faction described the Dr Oginga-led side as “mere minions” with no legitimacy to run the party or to dismiss a duly elected secretary-general. Only Mr Sifuna and National Treasurer Timothy Bosire remain in office, having been voted in by the party’s delegates. All other officials are serving in an interim capacity pending endorsement by the party’s National Delegates Convention (NDC).
'I'm still ODM Secretary-General'
The faction has unveiled a series of political rallies, starting with Kitengela this Sunday, as a show of defiance.
They also declared their intention to attend the planned NDC scheduled for March 26, signalling a potentially messy and acrimonious power struggle that could leave a trail of political casualties.
Raila’s long shadow held ODM together for nearly two decades, concealing factional rivalries beneath the unifying banner of his name.
With that figure gone, the party faces its greatest existential test ahead of the 2027 General Election. The warring factions have since dragged both President Ruto and his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, into the dispute.
Governor Orengo yesterday claimed the troubles in ODM are being orchestrated by Dr Ruto, while the Dr Oginga-led camp accused Mr Kenyatta of bankrolling the “Linda Mwananchi” rallies.
“I have implored President Ruto not to interfere with political parties, because I foresaw this crisis. The problem in ODM is President Ruto. We are asking him to let ODM operate independently. Leave the party alone. He has not just taken it hostage, he is now in possession of ODM,” Mr Orengo said.
“ODM is a people’s movement—of the people, by the people, for the people. Those claiming to lead ODM, please engage with the people directly. I shudder to think that mere minions with no nationwide legitimacy can speak on behalf of Edwin Sifuna,” he added.
Mr Sifuna maintained that he remains the legitimate secretary-general, describing his removal as “illegal, unprocedural, and a blatant violation of the ODM constitution and principles of natural justice”.
“At no point was I informed of any allegations against me, whether for indiscipline, insubordination, or incompetence in executing my duties as SG. I have also not been invited to respond to any complaints within or outside the party. No lawful organ of the party has called me for any hearing,” Mr Sifuna said.
Article 74 of the ODM constitution outlines the procedure for removing an official, which includes disciplinary proceedings and the right to defend oneself.
“The National Executive Committee may make such a resolution suo motu or upon recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee, Polling Unit Steering Committee, Sub-Branch Executive Committee or Branch Executive Committee,” it reads.
“Prior to removal, an office bearer must be granted adequate opportunity to defend themselves against any allegations,” the constitution further states.
Some NEC members at the Mombasa meeting rejected Mr Sifuna’s removal, citing violations of the party constitution.
Yesterday, ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga defended the decision, saying due process was followed.
“I have heard claims that the NEC was illegal and made unlawful decisions. ODM’s NEC comprises 40 members. Yesterday, 34 were present, with two apologies. This clearly shows the NEC was properly constituted and acted within the party’s constitution,” the Homa Bay governor told supporters during a rally at Mkunguni Square in Lamu Old Town.
“Leaders in ODM must respect decisions taken by party organs. I can speak my mind because ODM is democratic, but as a senior official, I cannot go against the party’s decisions,” Ms Wanga further said, concluding that: “Indiscipline cannot be mistaken for democracy.”
In its resolution, the party’s NEC expressed concern over rising indiscipline among senior party officials.
Ousted ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna(centre) flanked by EALA MP Winnie Odinga (3rd left), Siaya Governor James Orengo (3rd right), Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and other leaders address journalists at Sarova Panafric hotel in Nairobi on February 12, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation
On Friday, Dr Oburu criticised Mr Sifuna for confusing party members through media statements.
“When Sifuna questioned the legitimacy of certain national officials, he overlooked that he himself was elected as secretary-general by the same organ in February 2018, and served effectively until February 2022, when the National Delegates Convention endorsed him. One cannot selectively invalidate the processes that confer legitimacy upon oneself,” Dr Oburu said.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, a former party chairman, also cautioned against public dissent by party spokespersons. “When a decision has been taken by the Central Committee or NEC, it is binding. If a spokesperson cannot communicate that decision, the honourable course is to resign,” Mr Mbadi said in a television interview.
Mr Sifuna, however, said his removal stemmed from his opposition to ODM working with President Ruto’s UDA.
The party’s Central Management Committee had on January 12 tasked Dr Oburu to initiate coalition talks with Dr Ruto, a resolution later endorsed by the NEC.
“My only ‘crime’ is opposing schemes to support President Ruto’s re-election. I hold the firm view that this country cannot afford another five years of this costly, divisive and disastrous misadventure,” Mr Sifuna said.
He added that his opposition predated Raila’s death, noting that the late former prime minister understood and accommodated his stance. “Raila would never have allowed ODM to become an appendage of State House, where decisions are merely rubber-stamped,” said Mr Sifuna.
Mr Sifuna and Mr Osotsi revealed behind-the-scenes efforts to prevent the fallout. The Nairobi Senator mentioned ODM trustees, including Mrs Ida Oginga and Kisumu Woman Rep Ruth Odinga, as key interveners. Other trustees include Mr Bosire, former Attorney-General Amos Wako, ODM deputy secretary-general Agnes Zani, and party finance director Joshua Kawino.
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
The Kisumu MP and Mr Bosire were among NEC members who opposed the removal of Mr Sifuna during the Mombasa meeting.
Mr Osotsi said efforts to prevent the fallout were frustrated by Dr Oburu, who initially promised to consult and postpone the session but went ahead with the meeting that dismissed Mr Sifuna.
“Last Friday, ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga called to relay Dr Oburu Oginga’s request for a meeting, which we set for Monday. I asked to attend with the secretary-general to continue mediation, but Dr Oburu allegedly held a meeting at State House that night,” Mr Osotsi said.
The Vihiga senator described the move as shocking. “They went ahead and made a very critical decision to remove Sifuna. I call on party members to stand firm and resist President Ruto’s attempts to take over the party,” he added.
Mr Owino called the removal illegal, terming the Mombasa NEC a “kangaroo meeting”.
“No proper procedure was followed. Illegal officeholders cannot remove a legal official. Sifuna’s only ‘crime’ is fighting for the downtrodden, the forgotten, and the less privileged,” he said.
“The war has been declared. A line has been drawn. This fight will not end anytime soon,” the lawmaker added.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, also removed from the NEC, said he was ousted even before a meeting could be held. He said he only received a WhatsApp notification of his ouster.
“I am the second casualty of this coup. ODM democracy is on trial. It is sad that we, who built this party through blood and sweat, now have to question its leadership,” Mr Amisi said.
He warned that the fight would continue through legal channels. “A coup has occurred in ODM. We are following the proper procedures, and if necessary, we will escalate to the courts,” he said.
