ODM at crossroads as the Odingas clash over the party’s future
Since Raila’s loss in the presidential race, ODM has been grappling with its identity, leadership, and future direction
The ongoing controversy within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) regarding the party’s potential alliance with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has ignited a fierce political battle, with deep implications for the party’s future.
At the heart of the debate is the sharp divergence between two key figures, the now interim ODM party leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, the elder brother of the late former ODM leader Raila Odinga, and his niece, Winnie Odinga, the outspoken daughter of Raila.
While Oburu appears to be open to the possibility of an ODM-UDA alliance, Winnie has unequivocally demanded that such a decision be subject to approval by the party’s National Delegates Conference (NDC) setting the stage for a major clash within the party.
To quell the mounting divisions that now threatens the unity of the Odingas, the Jaramogi clan has stepped in urging for unity.
The EALA legislator has questioned the haste with which Oburu and the ODM Central committee has signed an MOU with President Ruto’s UDA.
The ODM’s internal conflict over whether to align with President Ruto’s ruling UDA party in the 2027 elections is emblematic of the broader challenges facing Kenya’s opposition parties after the conclusion of the 2022 elections.
While addressing a rally in Kibira’s Kamkunji area last Sunday, Winnie openly contradicted party leader Oburu Odinga’s statements regarding those who wanted to leave the party.
Winnie authoritatively declared that no one would be removed from the party, noting that even Raila Odinga would not have wanted anyone to be thrown out of the party.
“Nobody will be removed from the party. They talk too much, and when we ask questions, they tell us to leave the party. If we leave, who will they remain with? This is a people’s party, and when we leave, we will leave with the people,” Winnie stated.
“Raila left us just a while ago. Relax, why are you in a hurry? Let us talk first, come to an agreement, so that we can move on together. As a family, we do not belong to any faction. We remain team Raila,” Winnie added.
Since Raila’s loss in the presidential race, ODM has been grappling with its identity, leadership, and future direction.
Some leaders, like Oburu, have shown a willingness to engage in political realignments,
including possible cooperation with Ruto’s UDA.
“I want to assure you that with your support, as we continue to negotiate with others, we will make sure that odm, being the largest party in kenya gets his fair share of the government. The broad-based arrangement is just a small thing. We want fair representation in government come 2027. We want to share power. We want to share power,” Oburu said while speaking during the ODM grassroots mobilisation tour in Kakamega county on January 18, 2026 dubbed Linda Ground.
Pro-Oburu faction team members argue that such an alliance could help ODM regain relevance and influence in a political environment increasingly dominated by Ruto’s administration.
“We don’t want to lose relevance,” an ODM insider told The Informer Weekly.
ODM has split into two rival camps code-named ‘Broad-Based’ faction allied to the interim party leader Oburu and another code-named ‘Young-Turks’ allied to Winnie.
According to insiders, Oburu’s camp include Gladys Wanga (National Chairperson), Junet Mohamed (Minority Leader), and Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa Governor) and ODM members serving as Cabinet Secretaries notably Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-operatives and MSMEs Development), Hassan Joho (Mining), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) and John Mbadi (National Treasury.
On the other hand, the camp allied to Winnie and are reportedly said to enjoy backing of Ida Odinga include; Babu Owino (Embakasi East MP), Edwin Sifuna (Secretary-General), Caleb Amisi, and Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South).
ODM has been no stranger to internal conflict.
In 2014, the National Delegates Congress (NDC) at Kasarani was marred by violence when a group of men, popularly known as “men in black,” disrupted the exercise.
They were allegedly working at the behest of party insiders, clashed with Raila’s loyalists to halt the proceedings, ensuring that his leadership remained uncontested.
The chaos not only delayed the election of key officials but also exposed the party’s vulnerability to manipulation by rogue elements.
While Raila’s long-standing influence has often kept the party united, his death has left a power vacuum that several factions are eager to fill, often with differing objectives.
