ODM big split? Sifuna, Osotsi skip key meeting called by Oburu

ODM MPs led by the Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, address a media briefing in Nairobi, to endorse the Central Management Committee resolution to form a pre-election coalition with UDA, on January 12, 2026.[Benard Orwongo, Standard]

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the mammoth political party crafted 20 years ago by the late Raila Odinga, is on the verge of a split, if what happened in Kilifi on Monday is anything to go by.

Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi were no-shows at the Central Management Committee (CMC) meeting convened by the party leader, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga.

In attendance at a meeting in Vipingo, Kilifi County, were the so-called government backers pushing for the re-election of President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

The self-proclaimed anti-Ruto group led by Sifuna was conspicuously absent, barely a week after the secretary general met Dr Oburu and swore to ensure ODM remained united into the 2027 elections.

However, Oburu denied existence of wrangles in the party. He said Sifuna had sought permission for his absence, which was granted by the committee.

‘’The Deputy Party Leader Osotsi, who is in South Africa, has sent his apology for his absence. SG Sifuna has also sent his apologies because he missed his flight,” said Oburu.

Inside the meeting, Oburu said he was determined to mend the growing gaps within the party ranks, despite calls by some leaders for the party to crack the whip against those opposed to the broad-based government.  

Oburu insisted that Sifuna was entitled to his opinions as the ODM party was a democratic outfit, and that the broad-based arrangement would remain in force as agreed between Raila and Ruto. 

“What is happening is democracy because the party allows people to talk, and people have different views, but we will continue building the party. We will continue to be one,” said Oburu.

ODM Central Management Committee led by Oburu Oginga in Vipingo, Kilifi, on January 12, 2026. [Courtesy]

However, some leaders reportedly demanded that Sifuna and other anti-government legislators should be directed to stop undermining the pact. 

Recently, Oburu dared those questioning his leadership to face him at the National Delegates Convention (NDC).

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino is among those who have called for the NDC to deliberated the ODM leadership.

“Those who are saying that Oburu was not validly elected, I challenge them to come with me to the NDC. I do not fear anyone,” he said while addressing supporters in Siaya County.

According to a source privy to the discussions by the CMC, the team is averting the possibility of chaos that is likely to erupt in the event they convene the NDC.

“There are concerns the outcome of an NDC is unpredictable and that is the reason the team had to move with speed to put structures in place for an engagement with Ruto,” said the source.

The meeting has also given Oburu a greenlight to form a small team of confidants to help him craft a preelection deal with Ruto.

There are also concerns some party members and Raila Odinga’s family pushing for an NDC are keen to snatch power away from Oburu and install new leadership to lead the ODM party.

“What the party was doing actually, is to forestall the possibility of a crisis for Oburu. The President is more comfortable with the Oburu-led grouping,” says another source.

The Standard established that the meeting by the CMC did not conclude the fate of Sifuna, but is among the thorns the Oburu-led team is looking to unprick as part of the effort to build a united force behind Ruto.

The members also agreed not to prioritise the convention of an NDC until they are able to address privately the cracks and discontent from a section of members.

Yesterday, Oburu said the committee tasked him to open negotiations with other political formations over the 2027 election, starting with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

“The Committee expressed the intention to initiate structured negotiations with different political formations, beginning with UDA,” stated the communique on pre-election political alliance read by Oburu.  

He said that consultations with party members on the pre-election agreement with UDA were currently ongoing and will culminate in the NDC.

He did not, however, state when the consultations started and the date of the planned NDC.

Recently, Oburu publicly challenged his critics to face him at the party’s NDC, saying he was ready to face them.

Oburu said that the committee directed that structured work commence to position ODM not only to contest next year’s elections but also to form the next government.

The choice of the venue of the meeting was also telling. Vipingo Ridge is an exclusive residential area in the Coast region that is highly fortified, and no ODM member with divergent views could gain access.

Senator Ledama Ole Kina was also absent from the Central Management Committee meeting, signalling deepening internal divisions within the party amid heightened wrangles in the Orange outfit.

In the meeting, Oburu said he was instrumental in negotiations that birthed the broad-based government and appointment of ODM leaders as cabinet secretaries.

Among those serving in President Ruto’s regime are Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho (Mining), Energy’s Opiyo Wandayi, Treasury’s John Mbadi and Cooperatives’ Wycliffe Oparanya.

He said Sifuna was a “principled voice” in ODM, adding that he thwarted attempts by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch to remove the Nairobi Senator as the party’s Secretary General.

Among other leaders attending the meeting are Simba Arati, Gladys Wanga, Junet Mohamed, Timothy Bwire, and Millie Odhiambo.

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However, Oburu stated that the Orange party remains committed to internal consultation and will continue to listen to the views of all its members.

He also said the party has begun early preparation for next year’s election.

Oburu also noted that the committee has resolved that any compensation money be channelled through constitutionally and legally recognised institutions, specifically the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

The committee has also mandated the party organs to report the resolutions and progress to the appropriate leadership structures.

Among other leaders attending the meeting are Simba Arati, Gladys Wanga, Junet Mohamed, Timothy Bwire, and Millie Odhiambo.