ODM infighting erupts as Raila's death fuels rifts

ODM party leader Oburu Odinga and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga during former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's memorial service at Sony Sugar Green Stadium in Awendo, Migori County, on November 6, 2025. [Anne Atieno, Standard]

Battlelines have been drawn, and the chasm between opposing factions is widening as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) enters a new year marked by uncertainty and an imminent split.

Ardent party supporters are watching the once-admired outfit crumble before their eyes, as leaders who former party founder Raila Odinga would have expected to protect it instead go after each other’s political jugular.

From statements by senior officials, secret talks with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), allegations of financial dealings anchored on party support, and public disagreements over the party’s direction, the future appears bleak for the Orange Party.

On Thursday, several leaders told The Standard that reconciliation seems unlikely, with some claiming a section of perceived rebels have already left the party.

Migori Senator Eddy Oketch described the situation as extremely sad. “It is even more heart-breaking to acknowledge that the current factions will never reconcile,” he said.

“The reason is simple. What really kept us together when Raila was alive were the ideology and ideals he stood for,” Senator Oketch explained.

He added that whenever leaders disagreed, Raila would reconcile them by reminding them of their purpose for the people. “Unfortunately, you barely hear words such as devolution, democracy, or service to the people from the mouths of leaders in these factions,” he said. 

Power game

According to Oketch, the party’s divisions have now become a simple power game. Leaders cloak their ambitions under higher ideals, but in reality, they are negotiating for power and political survival.

Observers believe the party died with Raila, and its revival now seems nearly impossible. Many say the split that erupted openly during the burial of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo set the tone for ongoing internal strife, leaving reconciliation unlikely.

At the function, ODM deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi, visibly angry, fired barbs at Minority Whip Junet Mohammed (MP for Suna East) for threatening to expel some party leaders.

“We are in ODM to stay. No one can threaten us with expulsion. If they want a fight, we will give them a fight. We are not cowards, and Luhyas have invested in this party since 2007. Just because Baba (Raila) is gone, they cannot tell us to leave. It will be tough, my friends,” Osotsi said, receiving applause from the crowd.

Last week, Junet warned so-called party rebels, alleging plans for a coup within ODM starting this January.

ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga supported the claim, accusing external forces allegedly funded by former President Uhuru Kenyatta of manoeuvring to destabilise ODM’s leadership. They also claimed some leaders were attempting to “auction” the party.

The feud has grown increasingly vicious and almost personal, with Osotsi questioning Junet’s political clout and accusing him of undermining internal democracy.

“We will not tolerate his nonsense. Let me tell you, Junet Mohamed, where you come from there are very few votes, we Luhyas have more votes than you,” Osotsi said.

Two factions

It is now clear that two main factions are now battling for the soul of ODM: one seeks a deal with President Ruto, while the other opposes what it describes as political prostitution and personal greed.

Unlike Raila, acting party leader Oburu Oginga has taken sides, strongly pushing for the deal with Ruto, even as internal wrangles threaten the party he inherited.

Aligned with Oburu are Wanga, Cabinet Secretaries Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) and John Mbadi (Finance), Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir, Junet, and several MPs, have teamed up for Ruto’s reelection.

The Standard has established that this group is already lobbying delegates to prepare for a showdown in January and allegedly planning to expel perceived rebels.

On the opposing side are Party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Osotsi, and a number of MPs.

Oburu’s faction claims Sifuna’s group has effectively left the party, and are only doing their best to cause more damage before formally leaving.

Budget Committee chairperson in the National Assembly Samuel Atandi told The Standard that Sifuna’s faction is aligned with former President Uhuru and is intent on destroying ODM, a narrative the former president dismissed during Jirongo’s burial.

So deep are the divisions in ODM that some party members, including Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya have threatened to leave the party.

Raila’s sister, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, claimed some leaders have already “sold the party” and set timelines for completing deals, putting its legacy at risk. 

In a statement, Ruth claimed that the party risked negotiating itself into oblivion.

“Those who want to sell the party do not know the struggles, deaths, and detentions that birthed multiparty democracy and subsequently the ODM party,” she said. 

Nyatike MP Tom Odege said it may be better to let those with divergent views leave early, to allow the party to heal.

Awendo MP Walter Owino said some factions oppose everything for their own survival, and urged loyalty to ODM’s ideals rather than personal gain. “We have two teams, one of which has been driving activism, and that makes them popular,” the legislator says.

According to Owino, the group should not oppose what  Raila , whom they loved and respected, supported.He believes ODM will be stronger when it is guided by honest people committed to the party, rather than those pursuing personal interests.

He adds that those unwilling to support ODM simply because the party has a working arrangement with the government should leave, as their motives are not genuine.

“Oburu, our party leader, is the one supposed to give us direction. He has said many times that Raila left us in a broad-based government. For the sake of Raila, we should remain here,” Owino remarks.

Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda believes there are three factions within ODM: the opposing group, the faction supporting President William Ruto’s re-election, and the undecided members. He says that with the election drawing nearer, it will be difficult to reconcile these factions. 

Dialogue needed

“There is a need for the party to engage in dialogue, balance interests, and accommodate difficult members in an attempt to bring the party together,” Prof Ojienda says.

He adds that if the party can support Ruto’s re-election while simultaneously strengthening ODM, that would be ideal.

 However, he stresses that ODM must embrace new ideals that uphold democratic principles while rejecting undemocratic practices such as zoning, which he believes is a source of tension within the party.

In a recent interview, communication consultant Barack Muluka said that Raila’s death left a huge political vacuum that even his closest allies cannot fill. “He went away with the magnetism, the magic, and the glue,” Muluka said.

In Siaya, leaders aligned with the so-called broad-based government have united against Governor Orengo, believing his political career is almost over. According to Samuel Atandi, Orengo is among those attempting to destabilise the party.

The faction, however, believes that a section of leaders led by Oburu and Wanga are orchestrating a plan to “auction” ODM to Ruto.

Earlier this week, The Standard uncovered a secret meeting between the president and the faction at the president’s home in Kilgoris, where a pre-election pact with Ruto was reportedly discussed.

Yesterday, a senior ODM official told The Standard that the two factions have reached a point of no return, making it impossible for them to reconcile at any party function.

“The wheels are already in motion, and the plans are ready. The group perceived as rebels will be expelled from the party,” the official said.

According to the official, these leaders will not even be allowed to attend the looming National Delegates Conference, which is intended to ratify support for Ruto’s re-election.

Additional reporting by Anne Atieno