In a brief but emphatic 12-second video shared by his son Jaoko Oburu Odinga on X, ODM Party Leader Dr. Oburu Odinga delivered a firm message to party members amid growing internal tensions.
Dressed in the iconic orange party colors, Oburu stressed that discipline is non-negotiable, asserting that no individual is bigger than the party. He reminded supporters that ODM, built over decades through sacrifice, belongs to the people, not to a select few.
Oburu likened the party to a club with clear rules, warning members to follow them or face consequences for defiance.
The video comes at a pivotal moment for ODM, days after factional rallies and heated exchanges exposed deep divisions within the party. The tension escalated following the removal of Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna during a National Executive Committee meeting in Mombasa.
Sifuna, backed by figures including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and Winnie Odinga, Raila Odinga’s daughter, has rejected the ouster.
They have mobilized supporters under the “Linda Wananchi” banner, accusing Oburu’s faction—aligned with leaders like Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga—of compromising ODM’s traditional opposition stance and cozying up to President William Ruto’s administration.
Meanwhile, youth groups in Nyanza have rallied behind Oburu, chanting loyalty and warning rivals against further division. The clip serves as a rallying call for unity while highlighting the leadership’s insistence on adherence to party rules.
With ODM navigating a critical phase four months after the passing of founding leader Raila Odinga, Oburu’s appeal underscores the leadership’s effort to maintain authority and grassroots cohesion.
However, the move could also deepen fractures, especially among Luhya supporters and urban youth who see Sifuna as a voice for change.
As rival factions organize rallies and release sharper public statements, the pressing question remains: can ODM heal its internal divisions in time, or will these battles give opponents an unintended advantage ahead of the 2027 elections?
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