ODM’s Linda Ground faction is in fresh political turmoil triggered by internal rebellion and quiet succession machinations, the Nation can reveal.
Party leader Oburu Oginga’s sister, Ruth Odinga, and niece Winnie Odinga on Friday appeared to identify with the rival Linda Mwananchi of ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna in an open defiance to the Linda Ground leadership.
The diminishing stature of the Orange party also has a direct impact on pre-election negotiations with President William Ruto’s UDA.
If the wrangles persist, the party will be going into the talks from a position of weakness further dashing their hopes of wresting running mate slot from DP Kithure Kindiki .
We have also established reports of a political fallout between Dr Oginga and two senior party officials. The two officials are said to be behind a scheme for Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho to resign from the Cabinet to take up a senior party slot as part of strategic positioning to be President William Ruto’s running mate.
Dr Oginga is also under pressure to end a growing political tension between Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, even as he seeks to protect ODM MPs from Western and Coast over alleged coercion to join President Ruto’s UDA ahead of the 2027 polls.
Political onslaught by the Sifuna-led camp is also emerging as a major threat for Dr Oginga and his camp. The Linda Mwananchi camp has since emerged as the most popular faction among ODM supporters.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna addresses the media at Karen Hospital following the discharge of Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi on April 11, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
The latest Trends and Insights for Africa (Tifa) polls place its popularity at 73 per cent against Linda Ground’s 24 per cent.
On Friday when Winnie and Ruth accused government allied politicians of being insensitive to the needs of the people during a burial in Kisii, Dr Oginga was in Nyakach, Kisumu County rallying for unity, while highlighting gains from the broad-based government.
”We are calling on all members to speak with one voice and respect the strategic decisions of the party hierarchy as we continue to protect our legacy of social justice and devolution,” Dr Oginga said.
“We highlighted the tangible gains of our current partnership in the broad-based government. By being inside the room, we have secured economic stability with a projected 5.3 per cent GDP growth, ensured the fair distribution of the Sh5 Trillion development budget, and ended the exclusion of our people from national appointments,” he added.
The meeting was also attended by ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and his Energy and Petroleum counterpart Opiyo Wandayi among other top party officials.
But as Dr Oginga rallied for support, some of the party members have accused their colleagues of fence-sitting, even as the Linda Mwananchi camp claimed that several sitting MPs were just waiting for the opportune time before they could jump ship.
During the recent Mombasa retreat CS Mbadi said the real problem facing the party is its members who remain undecided.
“We have many here who are unsure whether to support Linda Wananchi or remain here and support mainstream ODM,” the CS said.
Winnie, Ruth, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo and Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo are some of the ODM MPs perceived to be undecided on which camp to back.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo (left), flanked by Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, addresses the media at Parliament Buildings, Nairobi on January 5, 2026.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
“As a founding member of ODM, I will always champion this party. Our unity is non-negotiable. Polls prove that a united ODM is the strongest political force in Kenya, meaning anyone pushing for division is an enemy from within,” said Ruth.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, both principals of the Linda Mwananchi, told the Nation that they keep receiving requests from ODM MPs planning to join the camp ‘at the right time’.
“People are just waiting for the right time to jump ship because at the moment it is clear we cannot reconcile and work with them (Linda Mwananchi),” said Mr Omondi.
The faction had planned to hold a rally in Homa Bay on May 31, the same day Linda Ground will pitch tent in Kisumu.
But Mr Omondi disclosed that they have since cancelled the Homa Bay event to avoid engaging in “village politics” with Dr Oginga’s camp. Instead, they now plan to go to Mt Kenya and the Eastern region.
ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga speaks to journalists at Nyanza Golf Club, Kisumu, on May 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Mr Osotsi also told the Nation how efforts to reconcile the two camps have been frustrated by the Ruto factor.
“Efforts to reconcile are there, but the elephant in the room is William Ruto. Linda Mwananchi is saying that we need to manage our relationship with Ruto better.”
Mr Osotsi said the reason for the fallout was because of the rushed decision by Dr Oginga’s camp to back Dr Ruto’s re-election as well as the move to punish those opposed to the broad-based government.
“They proceeded to punish those with divergent views. That has caused a lot of problems. They have realized they have lost ground, and now want us to work together,” said the Vihiga senator, who was kicked out as co-deputy party leader.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi addresses delegates during the People’s Delegate Convention organised by the Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM party in Nairobi on March 27, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
“Regions like Western, Nairobi and Coast have greatly shifted. Some of the elected leaders in Linda Ground are talking to us, and saying they will leave ODM at the right time. Some even talk of moving to UDA,” he added.
Mr Oparanya in an interview with the Nation revealed how his attempt to reconcile the rival factions was frustrated by hardliners in the party. The CS said it was only by fronting a united front that ODM would negotiate as equal partners with UDA.
Mr Oparanya said that if given a chance he would still push for the unity of ODM by reconciling the two camps.
“We are trying to bring party harmony, especially in Western, because there has been a big division. Western has become very delicate. It should be clear that no one is talking about exit, but a strong party so that we can negotiate well with UDA,” said the former Kakamega Governor.
He said that Western has traditionally backed ODM and the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga for successive elections, making it one of the party’s major strongholds.
“If we have to retain our numbers, we have to work as a team. Raila was a strong character, and you don’t expect us to get someone of his stature to lead us, but we have to soldier on.”
“If given a chance, I would definitely do that (reconcile rival factions). Others within the party feel that the splinter group has reached an extreme level for any reconciliation,” he said.
Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Wycliffe Oparanya during a courtesy visit at the Nation Centre in Nairobi on April 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
Mr Oparanya recently warned that removal of Mr Sifuna and Mr Osotsi from the party leadership is likely to complicate President Ruto’s re-election campaign in the region.
“We are making a mistake as ODM leaders. This thing of removing people from the party makes our work very difficult. It is making our work of campaigning for the President very difficult,” Mr Oparanya said, adding that, “If you go to the ground, you are confronted with questions on why so-and-so has been removed from the party. I am asked difficult questions on the ground, questions for which I have no answers because I am not in the leadership of ODM.”
