The weekend bitter exchanges between Orange Democratic Movement leader Oburu Oginga and Siaya Governor James Orengo over control of the party has laid bare their long-running frosty relations.
In a series of political tours across Vihiga and Kisumu counties, Mr Orengo claimed he is the acting ODM party leader, while accusing Dr Oginga of failing to unite the outfit following the death of its former leader, Raila Odinga, in October 2025.
ODM Leader Oburu Oginga at Linda Ground in Siaya County.
Photo credit: Pool
“Orengo is the people’s party leader to ensure the legacy and achievements of Raila Odinga are safeguarded. ODM is being sold, and I have to stand firm to ensure the party is not sold,” said Mr Orengo.
The Siaya Governor had made similar remarks in Nakuru a week earlier, declaring Dr Oginga incompetent.
“Oburu can’t lead. I am now the acting party leader of ODM,” he said during a rally at Mazembe Grounds in Nakuru East Constituency.
But while speaking during an empowerment programme at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Dr Oginga dismissed Mr Orengo’s claims, insisting the governor can never lead the party.
ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga and Siaya Governor James Orengo during a past event
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
“I don’t care if someone declares himself party leader. You can be leaders of trees, birds or any other party but not ODM. And if you have another way of taking this, I tell you ‘ngóu’ ,” said Dr Oginga.
The bitter exchange of words has since attracted the attention of the Luo Council of Elders. The council’s chair Ker Odungi Randa, has expressed willingness to broker peace between the two leaders, although Mr Orengo has publicly stated he cannot work with Dr Oginga.
Mzee Randa warned that the continued division between the two leaders, aligned to the Linda Mwananchi and Linda Grounds factions, could expose the community to further disunity.
The rivalry between Dr Oginga and Mr Orengo has simmered for years, but has intensified in the months following Raila’s death. The two differ not only on ODM leadership but also on support for President William Ruto’s re-election.
Their political differences date back to the run-up to the 2013 elections, when both sought the Siaya Senatorial seat. Dr Oginga had already launched his campaign when Mr Orengo made a late entry into the race after playing a key role in Raila’s 2007 presidential bid.
To avert a fallout during ODM nominations, Raila intervened, prompting Dr Oginga to withdraw and instead pursue the governorship.
Siaya Governor James Orengo addresses delegates during the People’s Delegate Convention organised by the Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM at Ufungamano House in Nairobi on March 27, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
However, the gubernatorial race proved equally turbulent. Dr Oginga faced stiff competition from William Oduol Denge (now Siaya Deputy Governor), who had emerged as a frontrunner.
Following a nomination stalemate, ODM disqualified both candidates and handed the ticket to Cornel Rasanga, who went on to serve as governor for two terms. Dr Oginga did not contest any seat in 2013 and was instead nominated to Parliament.
In 2017, with both Mr Rasanga and Mr Orengo seeking re-election under ODM, Dr Oginga considered contesting the Bondo parliamentary seat, which he had held for 20 years. The plan, however, did not materialise.
After the 2017 elections, Dr Oginga again opted out of elective politics and was nominated to the East African Legislative Assembly.
Tensions between the two leaders resurfaced when Raila sought the African Union Commission chairmanship. Dr Oginga opposed plans to hand over party leadership to Mr Orengo, instead backing Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, who briefly served in an acting capacity.
Mr Orengo’s relationship with the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family after the death of the first Kenyan Vice President in 1994 has historically been strained, with political rivalries dating back to the 1994 Ford Kenya succession battle and the 1997 and 2002 general elections.
In each instance, Dr Oginga sided with Raila, remaining a key behind-the-scenes confidant.
Even before his death, Raila faced the delicate task of managing the leaders’ sharp disagreements over the “two-term” versus “one-term” debate.
“Personally, I am a truthful man, and it pains me to hear my own governor opposing the broad-based government. Why is he attacking us? Raila was consulted before we joined this government,” said Dr Oginga during a church service in Migori attended by President Ruto last year.
“The work of a governor is to bring development and build roads. What development is he fighting for while agitating on the roads?” he added.
Mr Orengo, a long-time advocate of good governance, played a key role in Kenya’s push for multiparty democracy.
According to Professor Lumala Masibo, Mr Orengo has positioned himself as an assertive power contender, potentially giving him an edge over Dr Oginga.
“The problem is that succession politics in ODM were never well managed. Who was Oburu before Raila died? He was just a senator. Who appointed him acting party leader when he was not even one of the deputy party leaders?” posed Prof Masibo.
Siaya Governor James Orengo addresses a Linda Mwananchi political rally at Amalemba Grounds in Kakamega on February 21, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“Orengo is presenting himself as an alternative leader, but as long as these factions continue to tussle, ODM risks going the Ford way. The solution is for ODM to hold internal elections,” he added.
With most of the Luo Nyanza leaders backing the Linda Ground faction led by Dr Oburu and Mr Orengo, seen to be working in cohort with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, the politics of supremacy will likely sway the political direction of Luo Nyanza in the next elections.
