Disquiet now rocks Oburu camp as defections loom

A simmering disquiet is threatening to rupture the ODM faction led by Senator Oburu Oginga.

A growing number of its members are openly hinting at ‘defecting’ to the rival Linda Mwananchi camp.

In recent days, some leaders aligned to the Oburu camp have expressed dissatisfaction with the running of the outfit, especially how the top leadership handled the ouster of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.

The discontent coincides with the growing popularity of the rival Linda Mwananchi brigade, which has been steadily gaining grassroots traction.

The internal revolt escalated over the weekend after Oburu’s younger sister, Ruth Odinga, threatened to make public her political ‘decision’ soon.

The announcement, made on her social media pages, is widely interpreted as a possible crossover to the Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi faction.

“Asanteni (thank you), my decision loading,” the Kisumu Woman Representative said after lashing out at some ODM leaders for sponsoring goons to try to stop Sunday’s Linda Mwananchi rally in Kisumu.

This comes as some Western leaders, an ODM bedrock, also threatened a walkout from the 20-year-old party, citing internal marginalisation.

Co-operative Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, a founding member of the ODM party, on Friday warned that the Western Kenya bloc could reconsider its position in the party over concerns about respect.

“I want to tell those leaders of ODM, this time, do not take us for granted. Raila respected us. Now, those leading ODM after Raila’s death should also respect us. If they do not respect us, we will quit,” Oparanya said in Lugari on Friday.

“They have forgotten the people of Western. We also want power. They should not think that they are the only ones who want power.”

His remarks have amplified concerns that the party could be facing a broader internal fallout.

Yesterday, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi told the Star that they, as Linda Mwananchi, have been receiving interest from a number of elected ODM leaders willing to cross over.

“What I can tell you is that there are so many elected leaders within ODM who agree with what we are doing,” Osotsi told the Star.

“They are held back by a few things. Some issues of committee positions, some development programmes have been promised in their constituencies, but they agree with our ideology.

"I’m telling you, the ones you see in Linda Mwananchi are the people who have made a decision to deal with the issues head-on, but there are others who agree with us, and they are the majority.”

Currently, the ODM team in the Linda Mwananchi camp includes Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Osotsi, Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Antony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Obadiah Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula) and Caleb Amisi (Saboti).

The team also includes Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Siaya Governor James Orengo.

In another development, National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo over the weekend confronted the party’s top leadership, accusing them of mismanaging Sifuna’s ouster.

Addressing supporters in her Suba North constituency, Millie said the poor treatment of Sifuna has turned him into a hero.

“We have created a hero out of Sifuna. I’m not saying he’s not a hero, but he wasn’t what he is now,” she said, adding that she had severally warned against removing Sifuna from the party’s leadership.

“When I raised these things, some goons were sent to beat me. When I raised these issues, I was heckled in Kisumu.”

Millie, like Ruth, insisted that all is not lost and that the two sides can still be brought together for the general good of the party.

“In my capacity as the Deputy Organising Secretary of ODM, I have always stood by the ‘gather all, scatter none’ mantra,” Ruth said.

However, yesterday Osotsi gave conditions that must be met before they sit down with the team led by Oburu.

According to the former ODM deputy party leader, the party must first rescind the decision to remove them from office and disengage from the two-term campaign.

He said ODM must also review the decision to pull out from Azimio and freeze any plans to negotiate with UDA to allow for further consultations.

“If they are ready for that, then we can sit down with them. But if they are not, we are considering even getting one million ODM supporters to take over Orange House,” he told the Star.

However, ODM stalwarts have downplayed the disquiet, insisting that the outfit remains united and focused on strengthening its grassroots support.

Speaking amid claims of internal rifts and possible defections, Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina said the party has weathered similar challenges before and emerged stronger.

He revealed plans to roll out a series of countrywide engagements aimed at reconnecting with its traditional support bases and consolidating its influence.

“We (ODM) can never collapse no matter what. Those diabolical schemes to annihilate the Orange Democratic Movement—be warned—we are mightier than you can fathom,” Ledama said.

“Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori—brace yourselves. I am storming in soon to ignite your fire and remind you who stood firm with Baba (Raila Odinga) in the darkest hours.”

He urged supporters to remain loyal and avoid being swayed, emphasising that ODM’s leadership is committed to inclusivity, dialogue and unity as the party charts its next phase.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Linda Mwananchi appears to be getting its politics right with supporters of the ODM party. The breakaway team has been able to hold successful rallies across ODM bases, fuelling disquiet within the team led by Oburu Oginga.