ODM leader Oburu Oginga addresses the party supporters during ODM's 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa on November 15, 2025. PHOTO | COURTESY

The dynamics within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) came to the fore during the party's 20th anniversary fete in Mombasa, where leaders voiced differing views on the direction the party should take ahead of the 2027 General Election.

During the celebrations held on Saturday, ODM party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga maintained that the party would – in the meantime - continue to be part of the broad-based government, as the late Raila Odinga had directed before his death.

He however noted that the party’s political direction could change in 2027 as members will sit then and decide on the way forward going into the next elections.

Dr. Oburu added that the party will remain united, noting that he will continue fighting and upholding the party’s legacy as Raila would have wished.

"Mimi najua hakuna siku moja nimewahi kusaliti ndugu yangu, Raila Amollo Odinga. Lakini ninajua kuna wenzangu wengine wanasema wako na Raila kwa dhati lakini wakati mwingine walikuwa wamesaliti Raila. Mimi ni mkubwa wa Raila, lakini tuliendelea pamoja, mimi nikimpa heshima kwa siasa, lakini nyumbani kwa Jaramogi mwenyewe mimi ndo mwenyekiti yake," he said.

"Kiti ambacho mmenipa, nitaendelea vile Raila alikuwa anataka na sitakuwa na uoga wowote. Raila ndio alituacha kwa broad-based government. Sisi tumesema ikifika 2027 tutaangalia ni nani tutaongea na yeye ama tutaenda peke yetu. We don't cross the bridge until we reach the bridge."

Dr. Oginga's position on the party’s direction was echoed by Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati, who said political slogans such as “one-term” (or ‘wantam’) and “two-term” (or ‘tutam’) should be eliminated as the party works to strengthen itself in the lead-up to the 2027 polls. 

Arati also issued a stern warning to party dissidents, saying ODM will take all necessary measures to safeguard its unity.

"Mtu yeyote asiseme kwamba chama kitasambaratika, wewe ukitaka kusambaratisha chama tutakusambaratisha wewe mwenyewe," stated the Kisii Governor.

"Tumesema ndio tuko na mkataba na broad-based government mpaka 2027, mambo mengine tutayapanga tukielekea mbele. Kwa sasa, tutamwuliza mheshimiwa Ruto, the 10-point agenda, tafadhali tuhakikishe itekelezwe. Tujipange 2027, lazime tuwe katika meza ya uongozi wa nchi hii. Hatuwezi tena kurudi katika opposition."

Other party leaders and officials, however, voiced contrasting views, with internal intrigues emerging in their speeches.

Their remarks hinted at simmering cracks within the party, seemingly giving rise to three splinter groups; those supporting the broad-based government, those opposing it, and those maintaining a neutral stance.

Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho emphatically cautioned those allegedly seeking to edge him out of ODM, noting that he had stood with the party for many years and made significant sacrifices, only for some to benefit from his efforts while attempting to push him aside.

"I'm a founding member of ODM, and I must say I defended my party kwa damu, kwa nguvu, kwa hali, kama ni noma noma na kama ni mbaya mbaya. ODM is what it is because some of us tulijitolea kama ilikuwa mbaya mbaya," Joho stated. 

"It is important that we defend the party, na mimi nawaambia msifikirie mtatutoa chambo, msifikirie mtatutoa kafara, sisi wengine damu yetu ni moto, ukileta twaleta, ukitukujia tunakukujia, ukileta noma noma, ukileta mbaya mbaya, tuelewane namna hiyo."

He added: "I did not sacrifice my life for nothing to follow the party ODM. Sijawai fuata mtu mwingine. In my 20s, I joined a movement led by Raila Odinga and let me say mkinifukuza nitawafukuza, mkinikujia nitawakujia, kikiharibika iharibike, kama ni mbaya mbaya. Hatuwezi kuwa sacrificial lamb, huwezi kututumia mnavyotaka alafu mtutupe."

Another ODM Deputy Party Leader, Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, differed with sentiments made by Siaya Governor James Orengo, who had told delegates at the party’s youth convention 24 hours earlier that Mombasa became an ODM stronghold after Raila Odinga intervened to resolve land issues in the region.

In response, Nassir said Raila indeed sought to address land injustices in the Coast region, which is why he appointed Orengo as Lands Minister during the grand coalition government to help resolve the matter.

"Mimi Baba alinifunza the art of loving, ile lugha ya kusema ya kuwa jinsi ya kupendwa na watu ni kuwaskiza watu. I heard Orengo yesterday saying, and I'm glad he's here, sisi tulimpenda Baba kwa ajili ya mambo ya mashamba," the Mombasa Governor stated. 

"Lakini kabla ya kujua mambo ya mashamba, alituuliza sisi kwanza tatizo letu ni nini ndio tukamwambia na ndio maana in his wisdom, he thought it best akakuchagua (Orengo) hoping that you'll be a saviour, ukachaguliwa kuwa Minister of Lands."

Nassir added: "Baba alinifunza, every market has a madman but not everyone in the market is a market master. Kila moja ana haki kuongea vile anataka, haimaanishi kuwa wanatuongelea sisi, wanajiongelea wao."

Raila’s youngest child Winnie Odinga, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino - who are now viewed as those steering one of the splinter groups - called for the party to allow the public to determine its direction.

Winnie, who also serves as East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP, noted that Raila was the only one the party trusted to manage broad-based affairs, adding that the people should now decide who should take up that responsibility. 

"When it came to the matter of broad-based government, the people of ODM entrusted one person, who is Raila. That relationship is complicated and therefore, we're wondering if those who are taking it upon themselves to manage are capable?" She posed. 

"That's not a question for me to answer. That's a question for the people to answer. Party leader, that's why I'm requesting we go back to the people and have an NDC (National Delegates Conference) and see who the people want to pick to manage that relationship."

Sifuna echoed Winnie's sentiments stating that: "Mimi kama Sifuna nitatumia nguvu zangu zote, kuhakikisha tunaaungana sisi sote. Kuna swali moja ama mbili ambayo tuna mitazamo tofauti, na hiyo swali naomba viongozi wa ODM waulize hawa watu watuambie majibu ya maswali imetushinda sisi na ile kitu mtaamua, sisi wanaODM tutafuata." 

Additionally, Babu noted that the party must stand firmly with the people, adding that should the government renege on its promises, ODM must be ready to take to the streets.

"Nataka kuhakikishia Raila pahali yupo sahii, siku ya leo, gharama ya maisha ikienda juu, tutaenda maandamano wapende wasipende, Karo ya shule ikienda juu, bei za bidhaa zikienda juu, tutaenda maandamano," he said. BY Brian Kimani, Citizen Digital