Is ODM divided? As two camps now emerge, hold parallel meetings

ODM divided? Left: ODM party leader Oburu Odinga and Kisii Governor Simba Arati during a rally in Kisii on Sunday. Right: ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna with other party members during a church function in Kawangware, Nairobi, on January 25, 2026. /COURTESY

Two camps are now emerging within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as sharp divisions and rivalry continues to intensify.

The two camps are sharply divided over planned coalition talks with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and support for President William Ruto’s second-term quest.

The first camp, christened #LindaGround, is oscillating around Siaya Senator and party leader Oburu Odinga and is agitating for pre-election coaction with UDA. This group is firmly pushing for Ruto’s re-election mantra of two terms, or ‘Tutam.’

On the other hand, Nairobi Senator and ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna is leading a renegade team calling itself #LindaWananchi that insists that ODM will field a presidential candidate and is fiercely opposed to Ruto, while aligning itself with the one-term or ‘Wantam’ choir.

Sifuna’s team includes Siaya Governor James Orengo, ODM deputy party leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, and MPs Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Obadia Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba) and Caleb Amisi (Saboti).

On the other side, Oburu’s camp enjoys the support of ODM members who joined the cabinet under the Broad-Based Government (BBG) who include Hassan Joho (Mining), John Mbadi (Treasury), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), and Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives).

Oburu’s deputies in the party, who include Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir (Mombasa) and Simba Arati (Kisii), alongside party chairperson and Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga, support the #LindaGround faction.

National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and MPs Peter Kaluma (Homabay), Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga), George Aladwa (Makadara), and Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North) are among the most vocal in their support for BBG, while Minority Whip Mille Odhiambo and ODM Vice Chairman Otiende Amollo have maintained a bit of neutrality, urging for unity.

On Sunday, the two factions held separate meetings to push their agenda, just a day after President Ruto nominated the widow of ex-leader Raila Odinga as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP).

The Oburu-led camp that hosted ODM delegates in Kisumu on Saturday was on Monday in Sameta, Kisii county, meeting the party’s delegates on the #LindaGround mission.

On the other hand, the Sifuna-led team was joined by Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka at a worship service held at Coast PAG Kawangware church service in Nairobi and later addressed a roadside rally at Kawangware.

Sifuna, who shouted “Wantam” at the rally, insisted ODM will negotiate with other parties for a pre-election deal while condemning what he termed as an attempt to block them from attending the church service.

“Our friends in ODM preach peace while at the same time raising knives against us; they called the bishop, threatening him not to host us. But we want to tell them that ODM was and remains the people’s party, and it can never cut deals in boardrooms,” Sifuna said.

The #LindaWananchi brigade is also vowing to wrestle the party leadership from Oburu.

“We are calling for the National Delegates Convention (NDC), and Babu Owino will become a party leader and ensure ODM fields a presidential candidate,” Babu said.

In Kisii, the top brigade insisted that a deal with President Ruto and UDA will ensure that the party firmly makes part of the next government, with Junet the forum to respond to the Sifuna team.

“There are some people who think we are afraid of the NDC. What has delayed an NDC is because of disputes in some branches. Most of them are now settled, and I am now asking the party leader to call for NDC. Let’s meet one-on-one; you can’t threaten us. Let’s meet at the NDC and we will confirm Dr. Oburu Oginga as a party leader,” Junet said.  

Governor Wanga added, "As a party, we have resolved that we will not go back to opposition. Delegates here have resolved to endorse the party's resolution to allow Dr. Oburu to negotiate with Ruto."

Ms. Wanga said the NDC should be called as soon as possible to seek the delegates' nod to negotiate with UDA.