Why big split is looming in Raila’s ODM party

Two camps, ODM-in-opposition and ODM-in-government, have emerged in the 19-year-old party, barely a month after the truce.

Raila, who has been at the helm since its inception in 2005, has weathered political headwinds to steady ODM to be the most stable and structured political outfit after the independence party, Kanu.

But now, two groups are pulling on opposite ends. 

While a group led by acting party leader Anyang’ Nyong’o and ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga have shown a soft spot for the administration, another anti-government team of radicals oscillating around Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has emerged. 

Last week, Nyong’o whipped ODM members to support the broad-based government, a position that is widely believed to be shared by the former party boss.

Wanga in a recent statement appeared to side with Ruto in the tussle with his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

Nairobi ODM chairman George Aladwa on Friday said it is time for ODM to reciprocate the broad-based government gesture and support Ruto’s administration.

“Whereas our democracy provides for both government and opposition sides, the spirit of Kenya is such that a time comes when we put our differences aside for the common good of our country,” he stated.

“As legislators and leaders, we serve the same public; whose desire is to have roads, markets, healthcare, education, housing, amongst others, offered to them.”

On the other hand, the Sifuna team was in Ugenya hosted by Siaya Governor James Orengo over the weekend.

The leaders maintained they are not part of Ruto’s administration, despite the deal that has seen four party members join the broad-based government.

Speaking at Orengo’s rural residence, the leaders distanced themselves from the deal, dismissing talks of a possible merger ahead of the 2027 elections.

Raila’s younger sister, Ruth Odinga, said ODM cannot allow itself to be swallowed by UDA, saying any attempts to have the party lose its identity will be resisted.

“UDA is a small party. ODM is one of the largest parties and we cannot join them. It is them who should join us,” Ruth said.

The Kisumu Woman Representative termed the political deal a come-we-stay marriage that they will not join.

“The rest of us have not gone into the come-we-stay,” she said.

The meeting was graced by Raila’s wife Ida Odinga, Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya and ODM Deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi.

Speaking at the same function, Sifuna said the opposition party will remain true to its course of being a pro-people outfit.

“As Secretary General we shall not allow our party to die…for small nuts given to Oparanya,” Sifuna said.

Oparanya, in his defence, narrated that he was reluctant to join the government and only considered the offer after Raila convinced him it was an important move.

“I did not ask to be named CS in Ruto’s government. When I heard my name – ask those around Raila – I texted him, but he came back and explained that the country would be in more problems if we didn’t move to stabilise the government,” Oparanya said.

“We are in ODM but we wanted to stabilise this country because the country would have gone to the dogs.”

Osotsi underscored the need for the party to maintain its identity as the people’s defender and not appear as having gone to bed with the government.

“ODM must remain a strong, distinct party, founded on principles of democracy,” Osotsi said.

by LUKE AWICH