Oburu Says No One Will Be Expelled From ODM Despite Internal Turmoil: “If Someone Wants To Leave He Should Leave Himself”

ODM leader Oburu Oginga moved to defuse the growing tension in the party, assuring members that no expulsion will happen despite the sharp division.
In the first ODM general meeting since the death of Raila Odinga, Oburu insists that unity will lead the transition of the party while the factions are openly clashing over its political direction
Oburu revealed that ODM will remain in the general government until 2027 as it quietly prepares for future talks
Emphasizing the strength of ODM nationally, the Siaya senator says the party must negotiate from a position of power

The leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Oburu Oginga has tried to calm the growing tension within the Orange party.

Oburu called for unity in the party to favor their bargaining power. Photo: William Ruto.
Source: Facebook

Oburu’s remarks come at a time when ODM is still grappling with the political vacuum left by the death of the former prime minister. Raila Odinga on October 15, 2025.

He said firmly that no member will be expelled from the party despite the great division regarding his political orientation and relationship with the President’s administration William Ruto.

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Speaking on Wednesday, January 14, at the Kamukunji grounds in Kibera, Oburu addressed thousands of ODM supporters during the party’s first official public meeting since the death of its longtime leader, Raila.

The event was added as a platform for public consultation, giving party members and residents a chance to engage ODM leadership on the party’s future amid a difficult transition period.

At the center of the current turmoil is a public dispute among senior ODM officials, divided between factions that support continued participation in the wider government and those that oppose any partnership with Ruto.

The disagreement has come to the fore, with some people calling for disciplinary action and the removal of leaders who appear to be unfaithful to the party’s traditional opposition position.

However, Oburu made it clear that ODM will not go the route of expulsion, explaining the party’s next move against the insurgents.

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He told the meeting that ideological differences will not be used as a basis to expel anyone from the party, insisting that unity will lead the next phase of ODM.

“Raila Amollo Odinga left us in a broad government. We have come to announce that we will remain in the broad plan until 2027, but before that we will hold discussions with other parties because we cannot wait until election day. As an ODM party, we must prepare ourselves. And we can only do that if we are united. We must remain together,” Oburu said.

He added that the party had no intention of expelling any member, insisting that departures, if any, should be voluntary.

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Will ODM expel party rebels?

Oburu said that those who are already planning to leave the group should apologize for any actions associated with them.

The Siaya senator said that they should not discuss each other while showing signs of weakness, stressing that they should show unity.

“We have no intention of expelling anyone from the party. If someone wants to leave, he should do so alone. But as ODM, our goal is to strengthen the party, and we will start negotiations with other parties. Only by staying together will we be strong and negotiate from a position of strength, not weakness,” Oburu said.

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Oburu leaned heavily on action, claiming that ODM’s strength in numbers and national support base gives it strength that must be protected, especially ahead of the 2027 General Election.

According to the MP, internal divisions would only weaken the party’s bargaining power in the upcoming coalition talks.

“We are the biggest party in the country, bigger than all the others. We cannot go to the negotiating table weak. When we speak, we will speak as Raila’s main party, and we will put everything on the table,” Oburu added.

Will Sifuna be expelled from the ODM party?

Earlier, the governor of Homa Bay and the national chairman of ODM Gladys Wanga explained why several senior party officials failed to attend the important consultation meeting held in Vipingo, Kilifi, on Monday, January 12.

He said the talks, convened by party leader Oburu Oginga, were aimed at reducing the internal tension that had revealed a major division within ODM.

Wanga said that the senator and secretary general of Nairobi Edwin Sifuna they had apologized after missing his flight, while the party’s deputy leader Godfrey Osotsi was on an official trip to South Africa.