By Anderson Ojwang
The statement of intent was unmistakable, and the battle lines were firmly drawn. Last Sunday marked a defining moment for the late Raila Amolo Odinga’s party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Two rival camps have now emerged within the party, pitting boardroom power brokers against grassroots activists in a struggle popularly framed as Linda Ground versus Linda Wananchi.
The Linda Ground faction is financially calibrated and well-resourced. It offers delegates allowances — reportedly as high as Sh5,000 — deploys helicopters, and holds meetings in high-end hotels, with operations largely coordinated remotely. This camp is led by ODM party leader Dr Oburu Odinga, National Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Deputy Party Leaders Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa) and Simba Arati (Kisii), and ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohamed. Notably, Wanga and Arati, despite being associated with this camp, are seasoned street politicians and mobilisers.
On the other hand, Linda Wananchi is organic, spontaneous, and driven by raw grassroots energy. Its rallies are marked by excitement, charged crowds, and a palpable sense of expectation. The group does not rely on air travel but moves by road. Financially, it lacks muscle and access, but compensates with persuasive rhetoric, political flair, and a deep connection with the masses.
This faction is led by battle-hardened politicians, including Siaya Governor James Orengo — one of Kenya’s longest-serving political activists — alongside new-generation leaders such as Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, among others.
The Busia meeting sent shockwaves across the political divide. In the border town, many observers saw the spirit of ODM founder Raila Amolo Odinga vividly re-emerge. The electric crowd and the intensity of the gathering appeared to signal where popular sentiment within the party may lie.
At the centre of the dispute is the proposed pre-election pact between ODM and President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), as well as the upcoming National Delegates Conference (NDC) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In Busia, the Linda Wananchi camp openly launched its campaign to dislodge Linda Ground’s grip on the party and firmly rejected any pre-election pact with UDA. Leaders in the faction declared that ODM would field a presidential candidate in 2027 and would not enter into an alliance with President Ruto.
In a recent interview, Sifuna stated that the party’s Kilifi Central Management Committee had resolved that ODM engage in coalition talks with various political formations — not exclusively UDA.
“The resolution of the Kilifi meeting was clear and specific. It stated that the party should embark on coalition formation with other political formations in the country. There was no mention of UDA as the only option,” Sifuna said. “We expect to engage all political formations with a view to a possible alliance.”
He added that ODM, as one of the country’s oldest political parties, was fully prepared to present a presidential candidate, quoting the late Raila Odinga: ‘Who told you ODM will not have a presidential candidate in 2027?’
Sifuna further maintained that Dr Oburu and his team were serving on an interim basis and would require ratification by the National Delegates Conference.
He also raised concerns over the source of funds being used in the ongoing Linda Ground activities, stating that they were not financed by the party.
“The money and resources you see being spent on ODM rallies branded as Linda Ground do not come from ODM headquarters,” he said. “I can only account for funds because I am a signatory to the party bank accounts, alongside Timothy Bosire. The last official expenditure by ODM was for the Mombasa celebration, and it was a fraction of what we have witnessed elsewhere.”
Sifuna claimed there was parallel financing of political activities conducted under ODM colours, adding that party headquarters had no knowledge of the source of the funds.
“For a fact, there is parallel funding for activities clothed in ODM colours. These activities are not financed from ODM coffers, and there is no cheque I have signed for them,” he said.
In response, Dr Oburu issued a press statement dismissing claims that party officials were serving on an interim basis, asserting that they were substantively in office and supported by party organs.
“We wish to state categorically that all party officials are serving substantively and are supported by resolutions of the party organs,” Oburu said. “However, recent assertions have misled the public regarding the legitimacy of certain party organs and office holders. ODM has, since its inception, demonstrated fidelity to its constitution and the rule of law. These same principles placed every individual in their rightful position, including Senator Sifuna.”
Yesterday, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi called for Sifuna’s sacking, accusing him of disrespecting Dr Oburu’s leadership and reaffirming support for a pre-election coalition with President Ruto.
“I have been the longest-serving ODM party chairman and I understand the ODM constitution. Dr Oburu is the substantive party leader, and Sifuna should be sacked for showing disrespect,” Mbadi said.
Meanwhile, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi weighed in on social media, writing: “The people of Busia have spoken in one voice. Vox populi, vox Dei — the voice of the people is the voice of God.”
With the National Delegates Conference approaching and battle lines now clearly drawn, ODM faces a defining moment. Whether the two factions will regroup and negotiate, or whether one will be politically washed away, remains to be seen. The question is no longer whether the party is divided — but who will blink first.
