They say dead men tell no tales. And now, factional wars in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) threaten the survival of the 20-year-old outfit as it charts its course without founding leader Raila Odinga who died a week ago.
Odinga will never- ever get a chance to clarify what he may have meant, which is now subject to interpretation by those who claim to have spoken to him in his final days on Earth.
The wars, which started moments before Odinga was buried on Sunday, are anchored on the confusion over what exactly he said about the future of the party – whether it should remain in the broad-based government or exit and contest the 2027 elections.
On one side of the leadership divide, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Deputy Party Leaders Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga Senator) and Mr Simba Arati (Kisii Governor) want ODM to field a presidential candidate in 2027.
The other group, which includes ODM Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, says Odinga wished the party to back the government and, by extension, President Ruto’s re-election. Mr Mbadi is the immediate former chairman of ODM.
President William Ruto’s warning at Odinga’s burial that he would not allow politicians to pull ODM from the broad-based government may have reignited the fight for control of the party.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna eulogises Raila Odinga during the funeral service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University grounds in Bondo, Siaya County on October 19, 2025.
According to Mr Sifuna, Odinga’s last instructions were that ODM should strengthen and field a presidential candidate in 2027.
“Raila spoke openly before the whole country and said as a party, we must prepare ourselves for 2027. Don’t put words in his mouth to push your agenda,” he said.
The Nairobi senator’s position was in reference to the ODM Parliamentary Group meeting on September 22 that was chaired by Odinga.
On March 8, President Ruto and Odinga signed a framework cooperation at Kenyatta International Convention Centre that established the broad-based government. Mr Sifuna is among those in ODM who wants the deal renegotiated.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga eulogises Raila Odinga during the funeral service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University grounds in Bondo, Siaya County on October 19, 2025.
However, Governor Wanga disagrees, saying Odinga’s last words were that the party remains in the government and support the re-election of Dr Ruto.
“We have always said that this (Odinga) is our father. When he says left, we go left. When he says right, we go right. When he says fire, we fire,” the governor said.
“The last instructions Raila left us, and with a clear mind and I remember him speaking at the burial of Dr Phoebe Asiyo – he made a clear decision to work with you (President Ruto) for the stability and unity of the nation in the broad-based government. That is the last standing instruction Baba gave us. As a people and party, that is where we will stand.”
Asiyo was buried in Karachuonyo, Homa Bay County, on August 8.
Though Senator Sifuna did not publicly state Odinga’s last words, he said ODM remaining in the government would mean the party collapsing.
“ I will do everything within my powers to keep the party united, even in the face of open provocation,” he said.
“Raila even asked them: ‘Who has told you that ODM will not have a presidential candidate in 2027?’. Because of that, we will follow his last standing instructions.”
He told those “spreading other narratives” to stop.
When asked about ODM’s position in the broad-based government after the September 22, 2025 Parliamentary Group meeting, Mr Mohamed said: “Refer to Raila’s speech at Argyle Hotel.”
During Odinga’s burial, however, Mr Mohamed insisted that it was the fallen party leader’s wish that ODM remains in the government and supports Ruto’s re-election.
“Raila told us to remain in the broad-based government. It is on record. For those with ears, let them hear. ODM will either form the government or be part of the government but will not be in a coalition that used to abuse Raila when he was alive,” Mr Mohamed said.
Also at the burial, President Ruto said he would “protect” ODM from what he called those out to auction the party for self-gain.
The President added that though he is the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leader, he would not allow ODM to be taken over by “those who want to auction it”.
“God willing, ODM will either form the next government or be part of it,” President Ruto said.
“One thing I will not tolerate ni wale wanataka kung’oa chama ya ODM kutoka broad-based government na kuchezea karata ya upinzani (those who want to make ODM leave the broad-based government and playing opposition politics) outside there. Hiyo haitawekena (that will not happen).”
At some point, President Ruto appeared to drum up support for Mr Mbadi to head the party, saying that for the 14 months he has been at the helm of the Treasury, he has done well.
“I am happy that Raila and I made a decision to have Mbadi as the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary. Inflation has fallen from 9.6 per cent under his leadership. Anatosha ama hatoshi?” he posed.
Immense powers
During Odinga’s burial, those in support of the UDA-ODM cooperation were united under the clarion call that “because Odinga left us in government, it was his wish that we remain there”.
It is a position Siaya Governor James Orengo does not appear to fully agree with.
Siaya Governor James Orengo eulogises Raila Odinga during the funeral service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University grounds in Bondo, Siaya County on October 19, 2025.
“I am one of the people who believe we must keep ODM party. I urge you, President Ruto, even as we speak about unity, let us not kill political parties,” Mr Orengo said during the burial.
“Political parties are the foundation of democracy. In 1963, political parties were killed, and it took 20 years to revive them.”
Senator Osotsi and Governor Arati were cautious, saying the feeling of members is that ODM remains vibrant and prepares for the General Election in 2027.
“As a party, we have lost a great leader – a leader who made some of us grow politically. We continue to mourn Raila for now, but when the time comes, we will pick up our pieces as ODM members and chart the party’s direction he always wanted,” Mr Osotsi said.
Governor Arati said ODM has a constitution and that any resolutions made must be for the interests of its members, the country and what Odinga stood for.
“It is too early to start talking about the direction of the party. ODM members will make the decision, but ultimately, we will make the party stronger,” the Kisii county boss said.
Mr Mbadi told President Ruto “not to be distracted” by those who want ODM out of the broad-based government, adding that they are going against Odinga’s wishes.
“Do not be shaken. Raila said he wanted us to be in the government. As a community and party, we will be in the broad-based government and support it. We will walk with you,” he said.
However, city lawyer David Ochami – also a governance expert – accuses President Ruto of taking sides in ODM factional wars “in favour of a group amenable to his interests under the so-called broad-based government”.
“As the head of state wielding immense powers, his words are not empty threats. It’s my view that Dr Ruto does not wish ODM to be controlled by independent-minded people,” Mr Ochami said.
“The President prefers an ODM controlled by pliant yes men and women. Logically, if he gets his way, President Ruto will try to interfere in ODM and even engineer a coup.”
According to the lawyer, President Ruto’s body language and discomfort during Senator Sifuna and Governor Orengo’s speeches “proves the hypothesis that he fears or dislikes them and would like to see them neutered or expelled from ODM so that he can take over”.
“This contradicts the President’s stated claim to strengthen political parties,” the advocate said.
“We can expect financial, legal and political manoeuvres against the likes of Senator Sifuna and Governor Orengo soon.”
Mr Ochami notes that following President Ruto’s “bizarre” statement, “pro-regime bloggers launched an online crusade against Mr Sifuna, predicting his removal from the party before the end of the year”.
“Clearly, President Ruto’s statements show an inherent disdain for independent politicians and strong parties he cannot control. This violates the Constitution and the Political Parties Act. Plural democracy suffers with such people in power,” the lawyer added.
According to Governor Arati, there are those who think that because Odinga is gone, ODM will disappear.
“I assure ODM members that the party is alive. We have just started the struggle and we must win the presidential election in 2027,” the Kisii governor said.
Article 4.1 of the ODM constitution states that the party exists to establish a government of Kenya based on democratic and constitutional principles of a pluralistic democracy and good governance.
These ethos, according to the party constitution, are founded on the principles of unity, justice, fairness, peace, liberty and equality.
“The party, therefore, exists to compete with other political parties for the purpose of winning elections and forming the government by nominating and fielding candidates in all elective offices, including presidential, parliamentary and civic seats,” reads the ODM constitution.
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