Why ODM’s leadership wars are far from over

The leadership wars in ODM appear far from over, with the breakaway faction openly laying claim to the top leadership.

The splinter group, Linda Mwananchi, which has been gaining traction in recent months, is now openly staking claim to key leadership positions, escalating a power struggle that has simmered for months.

Siaya Governor James Orengo has declared himself the ‘acting’ party leader, a move that is setting the stage for a bruising supremacy battle.

The veteran political activist cited the need for renewed direction and stronger leadership ahead of the next electoral cycle.

“We know the secretary general of ODM is Edwin Sifuna, and now Orengo is the acting party leader of ODM,” he said.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has also ‘demanded’ that the position, currently held by Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, be handed to him.

In a more confounding move, Sifuna is fighting to retain his influential position despite openly indicating he cannot work with the Oburu team.

Sifuna has taken the battle to the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal, signalling a protracted legal battle and a resolve to not let go of the 20-year-old outfit.

Insiders say the Linda Mwananchi team is assembling a formidable lineup to challenge the camp aligned with Oburu during the November National Delegates Convention, where key party positions will be up for grabs.

In a recent interview, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi proposed party leadership lineup should the Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi team manage to seize control of the party from its current leader.

“If we take over ODM, because I’ve told Sifuna, the first thing is, as we take over ODM, yeah, it’s a war. Whoever wins, wins, and in a war, there are casualties,” he said.

“So I’ve told him, please take over the party. Either let Orengo be the party leader. You can remain his deputy or his SG, or you can give Babu the secretary general.”

On his part, Amisi said he is not interested in any top party leadership position.

“I can be the council of elders to guide persons in the party to help them navigate the ship properly,” he said.

The silent ‘takeover’ plan has triggered backlash from the party stalwarts who have promised to block any leadership changes in the outfit.

Former Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda on Thursday dismissed claims by a section of ODM rebels seeking to take over the party leadership, insisting that the outfit only recognises the lineup led by Oburu.

Speaking amid escalating internal wrangles within the party, Ouda said the rebel group lacks legitimacy and does not represent the official structures of the party.

He accused them of pushing personal interests and creating unnecessary divisions at a time when the party should be consolidating its support base.

“We are in only one party called ODM and  Oburu is our party leader deputised by Abdulswamad (Nassir), (Simba) Arati and the chairperson is Gladys Wanga, and acting secretary general is Catherine Omanyo,” Ouda said on Thursday.

The  former legislator argued that those challenging the established leadership are being used by outside forces to take the party back to opposition.

“Our brothers and sisters are being used to divide ODM. Make up your mind and come back home. We are tired of being in opposition,” he said, adding that any parallel claims are misguided and should be ignored.

Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor also weighed in on the ongoing leadership wrangles within ODM, dismissing Siaya Governor Orengo’s self-declaration as acting party leader.

Owuor faulted Orengo’s move, terming it illegitimate and contrary to the party’s established leadership structures.

He maintained that ODM has clear organs and processes that must be respected by all members.

The lawmaker further accused the Siaya governor of consistently working against the interests of former party leader Raila Odinga, alleging a pattern of actions that undermine unity within the outfit.

Raila died last October.

He claimed Orengo did not take lightly the decision by Raila to hand the party to Kisumu Governor  Anyang’ Nyong’o in the eve of African Union Commission chairmanship campaigns.

"Orengo was never happy when Raila settled as the acting party leader during the AUC campaigns, and he (Orengo) even confronted the late Raila on why he (Orengo) was side-stepped," Aduma claimed without evidence.

He urged members to remain loyal to the party’s leadership and avoid actions that could deepen divisions.

The November NDC showdown is expected to be the final push by the rebels to take over the party.

Meanwhile, both factions have intensified public engagements, holding rallies and consultative meetings across the country in a bid to woo delegates and consolidate support.

The parallel mobilisation efforts underscore the high stakes involved as each side seeks to control the party’s machinery ahead of the decisive convention.

Linda Mwananchi camp was over the weekend, traversing the western part of the country with rallies in Vihiga and Kisumu counties. The Oburu team were also on the campaign trail with a huge youth convention in Malindi county. 

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Political observers warn that unless managed carefully, the escalating rivalry could fracture ODM at a critical time, potentially weakening its bargaining power in the broader political landscape. With months to the NDC, the battle lines are clearly drawn—and by all indications, the party’s internal wars are far from over.