Fresh divisions have emerged within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following a charged Linda Mwananchi rally in Vihiga County, with rival leaders openly clashing over party leadership and direction ahead of a high-stakes meeting in Kisumu.
At the centre of the storm is Siaya Governor James Orengo, who declared he had assumed additional responsibilities within the party, citing what he termed as a leadership gap.
“I am the acting party leader of ODM because Oburu is playing with his work,” Orengo said.
“I have taken up that responsibility of Oburu because if he cannot do his work, I will do it to ensure the party remains focused and functional. We cannot afford any gaps in leadership,” he added.
His remarks have reignited an earlier sharp rebuttal from Oburu Oginga, who dismissed Orengo’s claims in unequivocal terms:
“You can be party leader of the trees, of the birds, of any other party but you are certainly not the party leader of ODM. Oburu Oginga is the party leader and if you think there’s any other way of taking this thing, I tell you ng’ooo,” he said.
The exchange underscores growing internal friction within ODM, even as leaders allied to the Linda Mwananchi movement continue their mobilisation drive across the region.
Speaking at the Vihiga rally, Orengo also urged citizens to remain actively engaged in governance issues, calling for sustained public pressure on the administration over the cost of living.
“Kenyans must give President Ruto sleepless nights by demanding accountability. Leaders must always be reminded that they serve the people,” he said.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, while addressing the same gathering, pointed to leadership challenges as a key factor behind insecurity, while defending police officers on the ground.
“The security situation has become very bad, but what is surprising is that our police officers are our friends. The problem is not with these police officers; it lies with those in top government leadership,” Sifuna said.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi struck a more forward-looking tone, projecting the Linda Mwananchi movement as a rising political force.
“Linda Mwananchi is the coming government. You want me to bring you the sixth president?” he posed.
“I want to state it today while I am here at home in Majengo, Linda Mwananchi is the coming government. The 6th president of Kenya will come from Linda Mwananchi,” he added.
However, the unfolding tensions are not limited to leadership wrangles alone. Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has threatened to quit ODM, citing what he described as unfair treatment of Western Kenya leaders.
Speaking in Chevaywa, Lugari, Oparanya warned that the party risks a political fallout if concerns from the Luhya community are not addressed.
Meanwhile, Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi has called for calm ahead of the Kisumu meeting, urging leaders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric.
“I want to plead with our Kisumu people that despite our political differences, let us remain peaceful. And I want to welcome our guests but I want to tell them that they must come to Kisumu with an agenda for the people of Kisumu,” Atandi said.
He cautioned against provocative declarations on party leadership, warning they could heighten tensions.
“If you come here to abuse our leaders, to declare some mediocre, even to declare yourself the party leader of ODM, that is illegal and we are not going to allow you,” he added.
The Vihiga rally now sets the stage for Sunday’s Kisumu gathering, where political temperatures are expected to remain high as internal differences within ODM continue to play out in public.
