Just when the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was celebrating its 20th anniversary, it is going through changes at the top and political tensions besides.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, fresh from his official endorsement as the new party leader of the ODM, is already encountering the difficulty of coordinating political interests that are at odds with each other within the party.
At the anniversary events, senior party officials appeared to be at loggerheads as to the way the ODM should be going after the 2027 General Election. The differences of opinion were evident at the anniversary events with strongly held views being expressed on whether the party should still be in the government of national unity or not.
During a youth forum, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga warned that ODM “is not for sale,” which was seen as a caution to those who might try to influence the party’s loyalty or compromise its principles. Her statement was made in a context of criticism against Siaya Governor James Orengo and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, who, according to some members, have been pushing for the party’s withdrawal from the unity government.
While there was internal tension, we cannot say that the ODM leadership was not united as they honoured their late leader, Raila Odinga. Among the people who applauded the leader were those who acknowledged that it was he who led the party through Kenya’s most disturbed political periods. The young people and women leaders lauded Raila’s political heritage calling it such that would influence Kenya’s political scene for years to come.
The party’s anniversary this time around is said to be the largest of its kind ever, and it is believed that some of the party’s founding members, among them President William Ruto, who was instrumental in ODM’s early formation, may be attending.
While the party looks back at its political journey of 20 years, the new board has to take the difficult decision of smoothing out the party factionalism and getting the ODM ready for the political battles in 2027.