The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is staring at a major internal crisis as deepening rifts within its top leadership threaten to split the party that has been a political giant for over two decades.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has raised the alarm, calling for urgent intervention by the party leadership amid growing ideological divisions. While urging young leaders to respect ODM party leader Raila Odinga, Amisi warned that the party risks collapse if internal disputes are not resolved quickly.
“As we speak, we are experiencing ‘Disco Matanga’ in ODM. Basically, it is dead — we are now dancing, waiting for the burial day. That’s what is happening. Something must be done urgently,” Amisi said.
The legislator emphasized that despite ideological differences, respect must be accorded to Odinga due to his pivotal role in Kenya’s democratic journey
. “Some of us respect former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. As much as we don’t agree, you will never hear me abusing him because he has a space in history,” he said, lamenting the growing culture of online attacks from younger party members.
The ongoing tensions stem from Secretary General Edwin Sifuna’s firm stance that ODM should not back President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027.
Sifuna’s remarks, which were seen as deviating from Raila’s recent signals of possible support for Ruto, have intensified factional divisions.
This weekend, the feud spilled into the public as rival ODM factions held parallel meetings in Kisumu and Kakamega counties. In Kakamega, Sifuna’s allies rallied behind his position, declaring the Ruto-Raila political deal dead.
Meanwhile, in Muhoroni, ODM leaders from Nyanza led by party chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga fired back, affirming their loyalty to Raila and distancing themselves from Sifuna’s assertions.
“Raila Odinga has never instructed us to leave the agreement. So, if you speak against the broad-based government, you’re not speaking on behalf of ODM,” Wanga said.
In a bid to quell the mounting tensions, Raila has reportedly moved to convene a Central Management Committee meeting to address the contentious issues and forge a united path forward.
