- ODM leaders have taken steps to calm the growing internal tension after allegations emerged that senior party officials were planning a major leadership change.
- In a joint statement, influential ODM MPs led by vice chairman Otiende Amollo dismissed reports of secret meetings
- Lawmakers warned that growing intolerance and open infighting risked undermining the party’s political unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
- The leaders called for urgent internal dialogue and restraint, linking the current crisis to a leadership vacuum that has left ODM struggling to hold on.
Some of the leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have taken action to calm the growing tension within the party, ignoring claims that there is a plan to remove the general secretary Edwin Sifuna in the office.
Source: Facebook
In a joint statement signed on Monday, January 5, a group of ODM MPs led by Rarieda Member of Parliament and ODM vice-chairman Otiende Amollo, the leader said they were not aware of any meeting or process aimed at ousting Sifuna.
Among those who signed the statement is the Member of Parliament for Suba North Millie OdhiamboNyatike MP Tom Odege, MP-elect Catherine Muma, Turkana South MP John Ariko, Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino, Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor, and Homa Bay senator Moses Kajwang’.
The declaration of the MPs comes even as disagreements within the Orange party continue to be seen in public.
“We are not aware of any planned meeting to remove Edwin Sifuna as ODM secretary general,” Otiende said, seeking to quell rumors that have fueled fresh divisions within the party.
The announcement comes at a difficult time for ODM, which is still grappling with the death of its long-time leader, Raila Odingawho died about two months ago.
How has Raila’s absence affected ODM?
According to the MPs, Raila’s absence has left a big gap that has exposed mistakes within the party’s leadership and membership.
The MPs said the party is still mourning Raila, describing his death as a big blow that has affected members emotionally and politically.
“ODM is the largest party in the country. We are more worried about the incident of cursing that has been shown recently in our party. It is a testimony of how we lack the wisdom and leadership of our late Hon. Raila Odinga, that the words of division have taken over our politics, without restriction,” the MPs said.
Despite the loss, they noted that ODM must continue to stand firm on the values that Raila championed throughout his life, including inclusion, tolerance, democracy, and unity.
They warned that recent events within the party painted a grim picture of infighting, which they described as “self-defeating.”
The leaders said the public clashes and divisive rhetoric that now dominate ODM politics underscored how the party lacked the wisdom and steadfast leadership of Raila.
They noted that ODM remains the largest political party in the country, a status they said should not be taken lightly.
The MPs warned that ongoing internal disputes could weaken the party at a time when unity is important, especially as elections approach next year.
What steps should ODM leaders take to resolve disputes?
In their appeal, the MPs called on elected leaders and ordinary members to return to the values of friendship and unity that defined ODM under Raila.
They urged party officials, including Sifuna and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, to stop making verbal attacks in public and instead resolve their differences through internal dialogue.
Lawmakers proposed what they called an “internal spat session,” saying that a frank and private discussion would help calm anger and prevent further damage to the party’s image.
“We urge the Party Leader to call an “internal spat session” to avoid the ongoing mud party,” they said.
Source: Facebook
Apart from the internal conflicts, the leaders raised concerns about what they described as a strong push by smaller political parties to take over the political space that was usually held by ODM.
They warned that unless the current intolerance and disagreements are addressed, the party risks losing members and influence to unstable groups.
In that matter, they asked the ODM Party Leader and the Siaya senator Oburu Odinga to take immediate action by gathering important party instruments and restoring confidence among members and supporters.
They stressed that the current state of hostility was not in line with ODM’s founding principles, which they said Raila built.
“Hurry up, gather party instruments and help restore public confidence in the party, before we start bleeding to useless political groups. Current intolerance does not bring good results to the revolutionary movement that Raila started on the basis of democracy, freedom of expression and justice,” the MPs warned.
How did Boyd Were warn Sifuna?
As previously reported, pressure continued to build on Sifuna as the 2027 General Election approached.
Kasipul Member of Parliament Boyd Were has become the latest person in the party to publicly criticize the Nairobi senator for allegedly deviating from ODM’s official position.
In a Twitter message that was later deleted, the newly elected member of parliament urged Sifuna to agree with the party’s leadership and current direction.
Were supported the sentiments of some ODM leaders who want Sifuna to fully consider the party’s position before the elections.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
