Bitter-sweet Orange: Beginning of the end of Raila Odinga's ODM

Yesterday marked a re-defining moment and, for some, the beginning of the end for Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

The only common factor in the two parallel ODM functions, held in Nairobi, was the many times that the late Party Leader Raila Odinga’s name was mentioned, in addition to heavy exchange of words.

One sat in a well-decorated and choreographed setting at the Jamhuri Grounds, while the other fought to get through the door to their meeting venue a few kilometres at Ufungamano House.

Both factions, led by Oburu Oginga and embattled Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, respectively, independently insisted they were the bonafide party members.

The meetings were evidently the clearest indication yet, that the die is cast and the two factions are not about to drop their hardline stance.

The Oburu team is firm on their desire to work with President William Ruto, something the other faction is completely against. 

Questions are now emerging on who will be the new face of the party. As their split deepened, each sought to style themselves as the true carriers of Raila’s legacy.

The Special National Delegates Conference (NDC) held at Jamhuri Grounds, Nairobi, handed Oburu the instruments of power to steer the party into the next phase of the political season. 

The party, which was holding its first NDC since the demise of Raila, has had its fair share of challenges, with members pulling in opposite directions. A split that started almost as soon as Raila was laid to rest on October 19, 2025.

On a day that the Oburu-led ODM announced its leadership line-up, the first casualty was Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi.

Leader of the minority party in the National Assembly, Junet Mohamed, said any position not ratified during the NDC will be declared vacant. 

Another defining moment of the day was the arrival of Raila’s daughter, Winnie, at Jamhuri Grounds. Winnie has said that a new ODM must be built along the values that created the foundations of the party.

Winnie arrived with a clear message: “We want a new ODM that opens doors as opposed to closing them, listens to members’ concerns, and embraces the participation of young people and extends beyond rallies. “We want to hold our leaders accountable. We cannot be a party that does not care about the struggles we have come through. One thing I will ask for is the spirit of reconciliation, spirit of understanding, listening, a spirit that does not chase away or force out, opens and lets in,” she said.

She continued: “I say this with a lot of humility. Congratulations, party leader. We believe that as you lead the cycle of transition, as they call you a youth leader, you will open the space for millions of young people. This is my party…let us try to change and make it for everybody.”

Winnie arrived just after the party resolutions had been read out. 

The Oburu team rubber-stamped, not only remaining in the so-called broad-based Government, but also working with UDA ahead of the 2027 elections.

But the woes dogging ODM did not start with Raila’s death. They started right about the time four senior ODM members were appointed to the Cabinet under the broad-based government.

What was a vibrant party putting the government in check, was seemingly quickly silenced with dissenting voices facing a growingly hostile establishment.

And right from the demise of Raila, Sifuna has been resolute that there was no written agreement to join the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“ODM must remain a pro-people political party; we must remain true to the course we set upon. I will not allow our party to be ‘swallowed’ by any other,” Sifuna has previously said.

Sifuna’s hardline stance rattled Ruto, who at one time invoked his role as a founder member of ODM, reminding Sifuna of his deep-rooted ties with the party and implying that continued provocation could lead to disciplinary action.

“When you speak about me, Sifuna, know that I am a founding member of ODM.

‘‘If you push me too far, I will call for a meeting of the founding members, and if we do, we can discipline you,” Ruto said last year.

Now the centre cannot hold. Sifuna yesterday dismissed the NDC as illegitimate and accused the Oburu-led faction of betraying the party’s founding principles.

“The resolutions do not reflect the will of the people. Oburu, look for another Secretary General. I cannot be SG for Oburu; I will not be SG of mediocrity. After Raila, you characters do not deserve me. I will say this without fear or favour,” Sifuna said in the parallel meeting at Ufungamano House yesterday.

“They are saying that ODM works with Ruto. Our values do not align with Ruto's. It cannot be that ODM supports Ruto, who sends contingents of police officers to interfere with meetings, and that ODM works with people who teargas churches. Raila would never have joined people who do such things,” Sifuna said.

Siaya Governor James Orengo, who has been by Sifuna’s side, called on young Kenyans to actively defend democratic gains and warned against complacency amid unfolding political tensions.

“We are the people. What I want to say, some people may take offence with it, but it is true. Freedom has always been born out of rebellion, and I can tell you every time we have a new dispensation, if we do not have vigilance, you can go back to where we started. Now, we have gone back to where we started and remember, democracy was born out of rebellion,” Orengo said.

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino also denounced Oburu as ODM party leader, saying that they recognise him only as an elder and questioned his hurried installation.

“We will respect Oburu as an elder but not as our leader. The Special National Delegates Conference is illegal and does not reflect the true spirit of ODM and Raila,” Babu said.

On the other end, Oburu said it was the first NDC since the loss of his brother, the founder of ODM and thanked all members for the confidence they have conferred on him by electing him as the party leader.

“This is not a small thing. I’m now the second party leader. It is the largest party.

‘‘We, as a party, are moving on carefully because it is difficult to go alone, and that is why you have given me another authority to start negotiating with like-minded parties, starting with current partners in broad-based partners. It is not a one-man job; it will be done collectively,” Oburu said.

Similarly, ODM National Chairperson, Gladys Wanga, said Raila left a party built on resilience and taught them unity of purpose and clarity of vision that they will continue to uphold.

“This is not the time for blame, wars, or petty ego contests. Before we negotiate with others, we must show that we are united, focused, and ready.

‘‘It is not the hour to scatter but to gather. Canaan is visible from here. Let us be guided by unity and move toward the future, because if we remain focused, we shall move into that future,” she said.

And earlier in the week, a disquiet in the ruling coalition came to the fore as one of the affiliate Kenya Kwanza parties, Ford Kenya, complained of what it described as forced mergers and political intimidation.

The party said it is concerned by what they described as glaring contradictions, where on one hand, some leaders are calling for the dissolution of affiliate parties, while on the other, they are openly pursuing alliances with other parties like ODM.