Camps emerge in ODM ahead of 20th anniversary

ODM, which was formed in 2005 following the failed Referendum on the Constitution, is planning a series of events to mark its 20th birthday.

The party has appointed several committees to plan the fate that will culminate in a major meeting in the first week of October.

The party nearly won the Presidency just two years after it was formed, but the victory was denied over claims of rigging by the incumbent Mwai Kibaki, sparking Kenya’s election-related violence in 2007/08 that claimed over 1,500 lives and displaced over 500,000 people.

Even with the challenges, ODM has emerged as one of the most organised political parties in the country with grassroots support, especially in Nyanza, Western, Nairobi, and the Coast regions.

However, ODM’s grip on the country’s political atmosphere is now threatened by emerging extreme camps within its ranks.

Members of Parliament (MPS) from either Senate or the National Assembly and Governors elected on the party ticket have come out to express strong sentiments on ODM’s stand on national matters.

The bone of contention is the party’s support from the Broad-Based Government following a formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ODM and President William Ruto’s UDA.

ODM, being a member of Azimio Alliance, can’t enter into a new alliance with UDA as the law requires them to exit an existing coalition before signing another one.

There are, however, indications that ODM will formally sign a pre-election deal with Ruto and UDA ahead of the 2027 election, going by public sentiments made by Raila’s insiders, led by his elder brother and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga.

There are now three camps in ODM, with the first team being a pro-Broad-Based government, an anti-Broad-Based government,  and moderates who have neither spoken against nor in support of the Ruto-Raila pact.

The pro-Broad-Based deal team is led by Oburu, Minority Leader Junet Mohamed (Suna East), Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, Makadara’s George Aladwa, Dagorreti North’s Bearice Elachi, Christopher Aseka (Khwisero) and Jared Okello (Nyando).

The anti-Broad-Based deal team appears to coalesce around a new movement christened ‘Kenya Moja’ and is mostly made up of youthful leaders led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who is also ODM secretary general.

Other vocal MPs Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Caleb Amisi (Saboti), Obadia Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Danile Manduku (Nyaribari Masaba) and Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula).

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and his Nyamira counterpart Okongo Omogeni, Borabu MP Patrick Osero are also key anti-Broad-Based government  MPs but who are not necessarily in the Kenya Moja movement.

“There are several anti-Broad-Based government  members in our group who include MPs and Governors. Some of them have chosen not to speak due to strategic reasons, but in due time they will come out,” Kibagendi said.

Kibagendi said the developments in his party can only mean that ODM is eventually cracking and will not be as strong in the next election as it has been in the past four general elections.

Siaya Governor James Orengo was one of the vocal voices against ODM’s move to work with Ruto and UDA, but he has since gone slow on his criticism, while his Homa Bay counterpart Gladys Wanga is one of the key pillars of Broad-Based government.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati, who is also the Deputy Party Leader and Kakamega’s Fernandez Barasa are among Raila’s men who have affirmed support for his alliance with Ruto.

MP Aladwa says the pact with UDA has the support of the party, including its organs such as the Central Management Committee, citing recent resolutions on the same, while insisting that differences in opinion don’t mean the party is disintegrating.

“I support the position taken by the party organs in declaring its commitment to the Broad-Based government. There could be no mistake in salvaging the country at a time anarchy and instability was knocking on our door. We reaffirm our support for the party leader,” Aladwa, who is also ODM Nairobi chairman, stated.   

Among the moderates include Senators Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi), Jones Mwaruma (Taita Taveta), Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga), MP Kakuta Maimai (Kajiado East), Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani), Geoffrey Odanga (Matayos), Joseph Oyula (Butula), Caroli Omondi (Suba South) and Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands).