By Anderson Ojwang
The Linda Ground faction in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) seems to be getting it wrong on the political strategies and moves they implement. Every step is a misstep. Every calculation is a false start and a wrong answer.
Every political move by the Dr Oburu Oginga-led faction seems to draw criticism and doesn’t resonate well with a section of the members, who now express fear over the future of the party.
The just-launched ODM Youth convention has become the point of storm in the party, with youthful Migori Senator Eddy Oketch Muok Ratego questioning the non-involvement and the lacking faces of the youths in the organization and its leadership.
“Where are faces like Umi, Winnie Odinga, Hezena, Irene Mayaka, Jalang’o, Amina Mnyazi the host, and other vibrant young leaders in this party?” he asked.
The hard question emerging over the ODM Youth Convention 2026 is on the lacking face of the youths and their non-involvement.
ODM party has the youngest member of parliament, Boyd Were of Kasipul, who should be the face of the youth convention, but his image and presence are missing.
Instead, on the posters are the usual images of uninspiring leaders led by the party leader, Dr Oburu, deputy party leaders Governor Abdulsamad Nassir and his Kisii counterpart Simba Arati, National Chairperson Governor Gladys Wanga, and ODM’s Director of Elections Junet Mohammed.
“How do these faces inspire the youth and enhance youth engagement in a major party youth event?” Oketch asked.
The late Raila Amolo Odinga’s youth face of the party, comprising Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi MP Babu Owino among others, differed with the Oburu faction over the pre-election coalition arrangement with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance.
The Sifuna-led wing formed the Linda Mwananchi faction, which has gained prominence and support not only from within but also from outside the party.
They have been holding successful rallies across the country and this weekend have a double header for Vihiga and Kisumu on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
The Migori senator said the youths will no longer ask for their engagement but will take over what is rightfully due to them.
“And not just having youthful faces in posters, but also honestly involving them in the financial and programmatic planning of these activities. With us, we will not demand for respect; we will take respect,” he said.
Oketch said ODM’s non-involvement of the youths is where the problem begins in the party, negating its growth and development.
“The non-intentional involvement of youth, both in the leadership of the party and in their own forums, is where the problem lies in the party,” he said.
Oketch said some of them have been very reasonable for the past year, and he has tried to raise their discontentment internally within the party organs but with no success.
“I have equally talked about youth involvement to several top leaders of the party. But it is becoming unbearable,” he said.
Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho shared the poster with a rider: “Tukutane Malindi.”
The ODM Central Management Committee recently resolved to hold Youth Conventions across the country, with the first one held on Monday in Nairobi.
“Our commitment to the next generation is equally a priority. We are heading directly to the grassroots to engage our young leaders through a series of youth conventions. I am looking forward to being in Nairobi on Monday, April 20th, and Mombasa on Sunday, April 26th. These engagements will culminate in a joint NEC, Parliamentary Group, and Governors retreat scheduled from May 1st to 3rd,” read the statement from the Central Committee by the Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo.
Oburu wrote on his social media handles that he had noted the concerns of the youths over leadership and commitment.
“Today I presided over the Nairobi Youth convention, organized by the National ODM Youth League and Nairobi OYL. I received your Memorandum from the youth leadership, and my message to you is simple: I hear you. The energy you bring from all 85 wards of Nairobi today reminds me that the future of this country is already here.”
Oburu said the strength of the party has been in the youths, and that is why they had organized the conventions.
“The strength of ODM has always been in its people, but its true heartbeat is in its youth. We are committed to party unity and discipline because a house divided cannot stand; we shall endeavor to bring everyone to the table to ensure our loyalty to the cause remains unshaken,” he said.
He said the youths’ loyalty is the bedrock of the party’s survival and success.
“Your demand for empowerment is a necessity for our survival, and we are working to ensure the path from the Youth League to the ballot paper is clear, fair, and protected. Your loyalty is the bedrock of our success. Let us go back to the grassroots, register the millions, and show the country that Nairobi is, and will remain, Orange!” he said.
With the emerging dissenting youth voices over leadership, Linda Ground may be faced with another power struggle from within, different from that of Linda Mwananchi.
It is just a matter of time before Kenyans witness an exodus from Linda Ground to Linda Mwananchi or other political formations.
