ODM wrangles: Sifuna-backed faction attacks Oburu over UDA ties

Turmoil and cracks within Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) continue to emerge after a faction allied to party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna launched a scathing attack on Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, accusing him of attempting to “auction” the party through a hurried pre-election pact with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) while gagging those with divergent views.

The team stated that the 10-point agenda pact did not factor formation of a political cooperation ahead of 2027 polls.

Speaking during the party’s first-ever Linda Mwananchi political rally held at Busia Stadium on Sunday, the Sifuna-led group accused Oburu of advancing a dictatorial leadership and sidelining dissenting voices opposed to a proposed cooperation with UDA ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The rally brought together a section of senior ODM leaders, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and several grassroots mobilisers from the Western region.

Addressing supporters, Sifuna faulted the party’s top leadership for what he termed a “reckless rush” to lock ODM into a political arrangement that lacks clarity and grassroots endorsement.

He argued that the cooperation agreement previously signed between ODM leader Raila Odinga and President Ruto did not commit the party to any re-election pact or power-sharing deal ahead of 2027.

“We cannot mortgage the future of ODM for short-term political convenience. The agreement signed did not surrender our independence nor did it bind us to support President Ruto in the next election and if he cannot honour the pact signed by Raila then there is nothing he can fulfil even if some few people are hurriedly yawning for a pact and I will not or let anyone sign an extension of the current pact with Ruto” Sifuna said.

The leaders accused Oburu’s faction of commercialising the party for the benefit of a few individuals, alleging that some leaders were using ODM as a bargaining chip for personal financial and political gain.

“ODM party didn’t enter into an agreement with UDA for a coalition,” he said.

Sifuna added that the political cooperation between ODM and UDA led by the late Raila and President Ruto did not give room for a pre-election pact with Ruto, but rather to implement the 10-point agenda. “We have less than a month for the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) team that was tasked to oversee the implementation of the 20-point agenda, and so far, not a single issue has been implemented, like compensation of anti-government protest victims,” said Sifuna.

He added, “I am the Secretary-General of ODM, and we will not extend any cooperation with UDA come March. We cannot have a pact with Ruto, our ideology does not match, and when I speak, some people threaten to kick me out of the party, and they are doing the opposite of what late Raila would have done.”

Orengo questioned why ODM’s leadership appeared reluctant to position the party for top national leadership, arguing that ODM should be preparing to field either a presidential or deputy presidential candidate in the next election.

“ODM is not a subsidiary party. We must ask ourselves why some people are afraid of ODM contesting for the highest office. Our party has the structures, history and support base to lead this country,” Orengo said.

He added, “ODM is the only party that can form the government, and it has leaders with capacity, and no one will force us to join the government; we don’t share a common goal and vision.”

Osotsi echoed the sentiments, warning that sidelining internal democracy risked alienating loyal supporters and weakening the party ahead of future contests.

He insisted that any decision on coalitions must be subjected to broad consultations within party organs.

“We will not allow Ruto to take over ODM through the backdoor, we are seeing decisions being made under a tent, and that is not ODM’s work. When we oppose Ruto’s influence in the party and some wrong decisions, we are told to leave the party, we are going nowhere, and we are going to protect our party to stand for what it is known for, social justice, democracy and defending ordinary people,” said Osotsi.

He added, “Ruto is threatening ODM members from Western not to attend any function, including the Linda Mwananchi rally, and I want to tell them as a leader from Western, they should stand firm and support the party and ensure the ten-point agenda. Ruto has messed up our cane farming, and we have capable leaders of becoming President, and Ruto must be a one-term President.”

The group further dismissed claims by Oburu’s allies that they represent the legitimate wing of ODM, insisting that the party’s constitution and membership remain firmly on their side.

Babu Owino told the rally that ODM would not be reduced to a “political kiosk,” vowing to resist any attempts to coerce the party into alliances that undermine its founding principles.

“Without protests, some leaders in ODM couldn’t get positions, but because of the youths who came out in large numbers, they got positions in government, but when they go to the state house, they forget them, and all they dwell in is their selfish agendas,” said Babu.

The embattled MP argued that Oburu’s faction is out to make money using the ODM party, which he said they will resist while insisting that the party must have a Presidential candidate.

“We have a few brokers and fraudulent people who have gone to the state house to make money at the expense of the majority. ODM is a big party, and we have leaders who have the capacity to be President and come 2027, we are going to have a Presidential candidate because it is sad for my senior and elder Oburu to claim the party will not go for a top seat,” said Babu.

He added,” Our main agenda is to remove Ruto from power, and if he thinks we cannot lead demonstrations, then they will be in for a rude shock and if our leaders think we are fools and they want to kick us out of the party, let them try because we are ready to go for a by-election and challenge them.”

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said their top agenda is to ensure Ruto is a one-term president.

“Ruto has messed up the health and education sectors, our youths have been killed, and he wants to take over ODM. We want to tell him that we have an agenda which is to remove him from power because what he is doing is exactly opposite of what our late leader, Raila advocate and fought for, and we are going to have a Presidential candidate in 2027,” said Amisi.

Leaders also accused some people of attempting to block the troops from entering Busia County.

“They have tried to block us from accessing the stadium to have this meeting, but we have managed because we have the people, and this is the original ODM,” said Osotsi.

The leaders concluded by pledging to ensure ODM fields a presidential candidate in 2027,  signalling a deepening rift that now threatens to redefine the party’s political direction as succession politics begin to take shape.

On Saturday, a section of Busia ODM leaders vowed to boycott the Sifuna-led meeting.

Busia County ODM Secretary Fidelis Opetu said the county leadership will not take part in the meeting, which he described as a parallel forum being organised by a faction opposed to the leadership of Oburu Oginga.