Old is gold! Oburu tells those opposing his leadership

ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga has hit out at leaders opposing his leadership within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), warning that party members must adhere to discipline or risk losing their positions.

Oburu said members publicly criticising party policies while still holding senior positions in ODM should not expect to continue enjoying privileges within the party.

Speaking during a rally in Kisumu on Sunday, the ODM party leader defended his leadership, dismissing claims that age had diminished his political influence.

“Those who are saying ‘Linda something else’ are our people. They are members of our party. But they have forgotten one thing, that in a democracy, there must be discipline,” Oburu said.

“You cannot just talk against the party policy and still expect to hold high office in the same party. You cannot. You think we are weak. You think Oburu is old. You think Oburu is weak. I can assure you I am not weak.”

Oburu warned dissenting members that while the party was open to welcoming back defectors, they would not automatically regain influential positions upon their return.

“Old is gold. Yes. And you people should just know that. If they want to fly, they can fly. But if they want to come back to the party, we shall readmit them, but they must know that when they come, they come with a coiled tail,” he said.

“And they cannot think that they will start from the top. They will not start from the top.”

This comes a day after Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi issued fresh demands to allies of Oburu, saying the “Linda Mwananchi” faction will only engage the rival “Linda Ground” brigade if several conditions are met.

Osotsi claimed the Linda Ground faction had contributed to divisions within the party and influenced ODM’s cooperation with the ruling administration.

‎“The Linda Mwananchi team did not bring fights and confusion within ODM. It is the Linda Ground that caused it,” Osotsi said.

‎“They are the ones who kicked out Sifuna, they are the ones who kicked out Osotsi, and they are also the ones who forced ODM to work with UDA,” he added.

‎The senator said the Linda Mwananchi camp was now ready for dialogue but only under strict conditions aimed at restoring accountability and internal democracy within the party.

‎“And so, as Linda Mwananchi, we’re saying if you want us to talk with you, Linda Ground, we have to give you conditions,” he declared.

‎Osotsi outlined five demands that he said would need to be addressed before any reconciliation talks could proceed.

‎The first demand, he said, was the establishment of what he termed an independent inquest into the political “death” of ODM leader Raila Odinga.

‎“One, we’re saying we must have an independent inquest into the death of Raila Odinga,” he said.

‎Osotsi also called on the Linda Ground faction to publicly acknowledge what he described as the government’s failure to implement the 10-point agenda agreed upon with Raila.

‎The senator further called for the immediate cancellation of any planned political arrangement between ODM and the ruling side.

‎“Three, the planned deal with UDA should be stopped immediately,” he said.

‎Osotsi also sought transparency regarding internal party decisions, including moves he claimed targeted him and Edwin Sifuna.

‎“Four, all the decisions they have made, including to remove Sifuna as the secretary general and me, should be reversed,” he said.

‎The Vihiga senator also called for fresh elections within ODM, claiming the Linda Mwananchi faction currently enjoys overwhelming grassroots support.