Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has launched a fresh attack on Siaya Governor James Orengo, accusing him of attempting to position himself as the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement.
Ole Kina claimed Orengo was revisiting an old political script dating back to the 1990s, when he allegedly tried to take control of the movement after the death of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga but failed.
The senator’s remarks come days after Orengo declared himself the leader of what he described as the “people’s party,” a statement that has stirred debate within ODM ranks and raised fresh questions about the party’s direction.
Ole Kina argued that the latest developments mirror past internal battles, where attempts to challenge the Odinga family’s influence were met with resistance from within the party establishment.
He further claimed that Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga is once again playing a key role in shaping the party’s internal dynamics, drawing parallels with earlier efforts that blocked similar ambitions.
“This is a script we have seen before. The attempt to take over the party from within has always followed the same path,” Ole Kina said.
The remarks are likely to deepen divisions within ODM as leaders jostle for influence, with succession and control of the party now emerging as a major talking point.
Orengo, a long serving ally of Raila Odinga and a key figure in Kenya’s pro democracy movement, has yet to respond to the claims.
Analysts say the dispute reflects growing unease within ODM, with different factions beginning to position themselves amid shifting political dynamics.
Ole Kina’s statement now throws the spotlight on those tensions, signalling what could evolve into a broader contest over the party’s future leadership and identity.
