By Anderson Ojwang

Last year in November, after the demise of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Amolo Odinga, his younger sister, Ruth Adhiambo Odinga, stirred the murky political waters.
Adhiambo, the Kisumu Women Representative, made a bold move when confusion reigned in the party by declaring her interest to be the party presidential candidate.
Ruth’s declaration seems to have unsettled some political quarters who also moved to declare the current party leader, Dr Oburu Odinga, as the ODM automatic presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.

Ruth, on her social media handles, wrote “Nothing stops me from contesting for the presidency. I have all it takes. But first, I want to see a vibrant ODM that is a safe space for everyone.”

The declaration must have destabilized political quarters hell-bent on driving the party into a coalition with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Ruth hinted that she may consider a presidential bid in the 2027 general elections and emphasized that any run would be under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) banner.

Ruth said she was not against the formation of a coalition but insisted that the party must first develop its structures before engaging in any form of negotiations.
“I am not against a coalition between ODM and other parties. What I keep saying is that we must have one strong ODM. We have been in the trenches and we know what unity can do,” she said.

Ruth in the trenches

Ruth Odinga, just like her father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and Raila, were in the trenches for the political struggle and the new constitutional dispensation.
Ruth, while at a young age and in primary school, became key in the struggle as she smuggled letters from her father, who was under house detention, to his allies and vice versa.
Ruth became the voice of the struggle because through her, her father was able to communicate with the outside world.

The Kisumu Russia massacre in 1969

During the bitter exchange at the official opening of the Rusia Hospital, today known as Jaramogi Oginga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Ruth accompanied her father, Oginga, Raila, and Ker Odungi Randa, and escaped death by a whisker. They had to hide in a ward to escape police killings and were rescued after then President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s team left the venue.

Ruth in the demonstrations

Ruth has been part and parcel of the constitutional struggle and has been at the forefront of demonstrations. She stood by Raila during protests and has also been scarred by police violence against demonstrators.

Oburu’s presidential candidature

The ODM Director of Elections, Junet Mohammed, claimed that by virtue of Oburu being the party leader, he is the automatic party presidential candidate.
Oburu went on to state “I am the presidential candidate for ODM if ODM decides that it goes it alone. So anybody who is preparing himself to go for the presidential election in ODM, I think it is misplaced. If they want to go for presidential candidacy, they should look for another party. The presidential candidacy is already decided. The constitution says the presidential candidate is the party leader — the automatic presidential candidate for ODM.”

Precedent set in 2007 presidential nomination

But Oburu will have to contend with the party constitution and the precedent set in the 2007 presidential nomination and face off with his fiery and battle-hardened younger sister, Ruth.
In 2007, after the formation of ODM, Raila was the party leader but faced William Ruto, Musalia Mudavadi, Joe Nyaga, and Najib Balala for the party nomination and won before being declared the presidential candidate.

According to ODM party rules, a party member shall take part in elections through voting and be eligible for party and national elections at all levels upon nomination.
The National Delegates Conference (NDC) is mandated to nominate the party’s presidential candidate for the election of the President of the Republic of Kenya.
Ruth will be relying on the party constitution to fly the ODM flag in the 2027 presidential elections.

Oburu presidential candidate mirage

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, in what he termed the Mahaya declaration, demanded an immediate pre-coalition signing between UDA and ODM, with President William Ruto as the candidate.
“Going forward, let us hurry and develop a pre-election agreement between ODM and UDA. The negotiation will be headed by Oburu for ODM, while UDA will be headed by President Ruto. The Mahaya declaration is that Oburu starts negotiations with Ruto immediately.”

With only two aspirants who have declared interest in being the ODM presidential candidate, the question remains: who fits the bill to step into the shoes of the Enigma, Raila? Does Ruth fit the bill over the ageing Dr Oburu?
Or is the chief negotiator, Oburu Odinga, the best candidate to lead ODM to Canaan after five unsuccessful attempts by his younger brother Raila?

By Habil Onyango

Homa Bay County Executive Committee Member for Finance, Solomon Obiero, has challenged Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga to resign if he intends to vie for the county’s top seat in the 2027 general elections.

Obiero stated that Magwanga cannot continue to serve and earn a salary as Deputy Governor while simultaneously opposing his boss, Governor Gladys Wanga, as he prepares to contest her in the upcoming elections.

“If Magwanga has decided to run against the Governor in the 2027 elections, let him resign first. He cannot be earning a salary as Deputy Governor while also backbiting his boss,” Obiero said.

“How can someone start early campaigning while still serving as Deputy Governor? Magwanga should leave the office and openly face us in the next general elections,” he added.

According to Obiero, the upcoming elections will focus on individuals’ past development achievements while in office.

“Magwanga should inform us about what he has accomplished for the people while serving as Homa Bay County Deputy Governor and as the Agriculture Minister,” he said.

For some time, Magwanga has publicly criticized Wanga’s re-election bid, claiming she has failed to serve the people of Homa Bay. He has declared his intention to challenge her in the 2027 elections, stating that Wanga has mismanaged the county, leaving it in disarray and unable to pay contractors or meet basic operational needs.

“Wanga is a one-term governor, and her time is up. I sacrificed to help you become governor, but you are ungrateful. Now it is time for payback,” Magwanga said.

Deputy Governor’s Office Remains Closed

Magwanga’s office has remained closed since a fallout last year after Wanga relieved him of his duties as CEC for Agriculture and Livestock Development.

“My office is still closed, and my staff have no access to it. What kind of management is this? You cannot close a public office to deny the holder access. This is a violation of the Constitution. But it is only a matter of time before the people of Homa Bay lock you out through the ballot. Your time is up, and you are going home,” he asserted.

Magwanga described the closure as a “calculated political power play aimed at undermining my office and obstructing the functions of county governance.” He emphasized that no individual holds public office as personal property, noting that such offices are temporarily held on behalf of the people.

He also criticized Wanga’s decision to dismiss CEC Dr. Peter Ogalo, who was in charge of Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development, and to nominate Joseph Mitito as his replacement. Magwanga asserted that this was an abuse of the MOU they had signed and a direct insult to him.

Recently, Ogalo obtained a court order restraining the governor from filling the position until the matter is resolved.

“Let’s be clear; it was I who brought Ogalo into the Cabinet. Sacking him without any consultation or reason is a direct affront to me. Let’s see how this ends,” Magwanga said.

The rift between Wanga, who also serves as the ODM National Chairperson, and Magwanga erupted during the Kasipul by-election, where the Deputy Governor supported an independent candidate, Philip Aroko, against the party’s preferred candidate, Boyd Were.

Last year, Wanga acknowledged divisions within her government and promised to take action against officials who criticize her administration while still serving in it. Speaking at a funeral in Homa Bay, Wanga expressed her readiness to face her opponents in the 2027 gubernatorial race, describing it as a “battle royal.” She urged those dissatisfied with her leadership to leave so that she could bring in new people.

Obiero was speaking at Samanga Primary School playgrounds, where he presided over the grand launch of the Auma Nygoro Educational Fund, which saw over 1,000 students benefit from bursary allocations.

By Team

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Dr Oburu Odinga-led wing, after witnessing a frosty and false start to the countrywide pre-election pact engagement on Wednesday in Kibra with United Democratic Alliance (UDA), now faces another hurdle.

The ODM county council of county chairmen coordinators rejected the ongoing engagement and want the engagements put on hold until the party’s National Delegates Conference is held.

But today, Oburu on his X handle gave new dates for the engagement and wrote “ODM Linda ground. Tunaskia ground. 17th January 2026 Malaba, Busia County and January 18th 2026, Kakamega town, Kakamega County.”

Council of county chairmen demands NDC

The county council chairs demanded the talks and countrywide engagement should stop before convening the National Delegates Conference and before the full implementation of the 10-point agenda.

“We plead with our party leadership that we will not allow any talks to continue before we have NDC. We are not fighting anyone and we respect our party leader.” they said at a press conference.

They said in honor of the departed leader, Raila Amolo Odinga, the full 10-point agenda should be given first priority.

“We call for the full implementation of the 10-point agenda and no further agreements or arrangements be entered into before the 10-point agenda is fully implemented,” they said.

They claimed that the current party leadership has sidelined them in important party activities and engagements.

“We have been sidelined. No single day did Raila hold or undertake any activity without involving the county chairman,” they said.

Recently, the ODM Central Committee mandated Oburu to engage in pre-election negotiations with President William Ruto’s UDA ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Conspicuously absent at the Kilifi meeting were Sifuna and deputy party leader Geoffrey Osotsi.

UDA mandates Ruto

UDA recently agreed to pursue a pre-election coalition arrangement with the ODM party after reviewing its party growth from ongoing grassroots elections, netting 2.4 million members.

UDA’s National Executive Committee, chaired by President William Ruto, consented after ODM initiated the move to start talks.

“We are establishing mechanisms for structured engagement with the ODM Party to deepen political cooperation, build consensus on shared priorities, and provide a clear framework for dialogue, coordination, and partnership,” President Ruto said.

“We also agreed on broader political dynamics, including negotiating a coalition agreement with ODM party ahead of the 2027 elections as we shape the next phase of national politics,” Governor Anne Waiguru posted on her social media.

On Monday, the ODM Central Committee agreed and mandated Dr Oburu to engage in a structured pre-election pact with President Ruto’s UDA party.

But the Kilifi Central Committee meeting was given a wide berth by the Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and deputy party leader Geoffrey Osotsi, showing divisions in the party over the coalition.

Recently, Oburu said the party will soon establish a committee to spearhead coalition negotiations with President Ruto’s UDA party.

“Now as we approach 2027, we are not going to get to government through the back door. We are going to have a negotiated arrangement. It will be headed by me,” he said.

Identity crisis

Dr Oburu is struggling with an identity crisis over party leadership and has faced criticism over his choice from his niece Winnie Odinga among others.

Mama Ida Odinga recently appealed for dialogue to avoid a party split and urged members to preserve the party.

“Edwin Sifuna is going nowhere. He is Baba’s son. Kawuono otho to oriambo nyithindo moko e ot. Unyalo bedo kod guandruok to bed uru piny mondo ulosi. Onge ngat ma iriembo bende onge ngat mawuok,” she said.

The Kibra rally

Confusion and chaos erupted at the main podium as Oburu was heard begging to be allowed to address the crowd while MP Tom Kajwang urged him to speak.

Kajwang: “Daktari speak. Sema jambo kwa dakika moja. Daktari. Mos jo piny.”

Oburu responded: “Koro eka adwa wuoyo… miya uru thuolo mondo alosi.”

Kajwang tried calming the crowd: “Ongea tu daktari.”

Oburu pleaded again: “Wanainchi wa Kibra, hamjumbo… miya uru thuolo mondo alosi.”

Kajwang called one of Oburu’s security aides saying: “Adhu pang uru joma nitie tok daktari go.”

Colorless and disorganized

The rally was a shadow of Raila’s past political rallies in Kibra, which were well-coordinated and secure. The rally left Oburu and party leaders exposed as the public overwhelmed the dais.

Wide berth

The rally was given a wide berth by key ODM leaders including Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, and Siaya Governor James Orengo.

In attendance were ODM National Chairman Governor Gladys Wanga, deputy party leader Abdulswamad Nassir, and Kisii Governor Simba Arati.

The death of Raila has triggered sharp divisions in ODM, with Oburu leading a faction inclined toward a coalition with Ruto, while the Orengo wing insists the party must reorganize before any coalition talks.

By Habil Onyango

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has faced several challenges since the passing of its former party leader, Raila Odinga, which have threatened its stability.
Before his passing, Odinga had established a steady relationship with President William Ruto, leading to the formation of a Broad-Based Government.

As part of their agreement, ODM contributed a number of “experts” to the government to enhance service delivery.
However, two factions have emerged within the party: one supporting the Broad-Based Government and another opposing it.

Recently, the party’s Central Committee held a consultative meeting, allowing interim Chairman Dr. Oburu Oginga to initiate negotiations with President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, who is against the Broad-Based relationship, did not attend the meeting.

Accusations have surfaced that some individuals within the party are negotiating to sell the party to President Ruto.
Prominent party members, including Siaya Governor James Orengo, have alleged that there are plans to betray the party, asserting they have evidence to support their claims.
In response, the party’s National Chairperson, Gladys Wanga, assured supporters that there are no such plans in place.
Wanga emphasized that they would not betray Odinga’s vision for the party and challenged those making accusations to reveal the “market” where political parties are being hawked.
“Where is the market where a big political party such as ODM can be hawked?” questioned Wanga. She added,
“I believe those who do not want to continue with the Broad-Based arrangements are behind the initiative that suggests anyone associated with it is trying to sell the party.” Said Wanga

Wanga expressed concern that there is a notion the party might dissolve without proper consultation, causing supporters to feel abandoned after Odinga’s passing.
“People fear that the party might dissolve without structured negotiations, leading to claims that the party is being sold,” she said.

She asserted that a party like ODM cannot be easily sold and that they will not join any other faction without conditions.
“Politics is about the interests of various communities. Many have stuck with the party across the country out of loyalty to the interests they believe the late former Prime Minister represented,” Wanga stated during a live interview on a National TV station.

The Chairperson also affirmed that despite their participation in the Broad-Based arrangement, they would remain vocal on issues affecting Kenyans.
“Our party will not be easily taken over by any individual, and we will continue to raise matters that impact Kenyans, including the ten-point agenda that we discussed in our memorandum of understanding with UDA,” she said.

Regarding the compensation for victims of protests and internally displaced persons, Wanga noted that the Central Committee had resolved to continue reviewing the implementation of the ten-point agenda, particularly the unresolved issue of compensating victims of public demonstrations.
She mentioned that, following a court ruling declaring a proposed panel of experts on this matter unlawful, they resolved to channel any compensation funds through legally recognized institutions, specifically the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

By Anderson Ojwang

The late Raila Amolo Odinga braved hails of teargas, gunshots and police beatings while hundreds of youths sacrificed their lives for the struggle.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), founded on constitutional reforms, has lived up to its billing, leading the country in several struggles—from economic and human rights to electoral justice liberation.

Leading from the ground was the Enigma, who sacrificed his presidential interests for a dignified and united country, Kenya.

For the last four presidential elections, Raila sacrificed his presidential ambition and withdrew youths from the streets to give dialogue a chance and, indeed, Kenya regained her sanity.

And when he died, the world converged to celebrate and not to mourn the hero of the century—the selfless revolutionary who led from the front and confronted guns without fear.

Raila often sang, “Unipige teke sita rudi nyuma. Unifunge pingu sita rudi nyuma. Hata wakinipiga na risasi sita rudi nyuma” (Even if they kick me, I will not retreat. If they chain me, I will not retreat. Even if they shoot me, I will not retreat).

Raila led the constitutional reforms that first resulted in the rejection of the Wako Draft Constitution, and consequently, ODM was birthed and became the party of the moment.

Raila paid the price for rejecting the Wako Draft Constitution and was subsequently sacked from the Cabinet by then President Mwai Kibaki.

When the curtain finally fell on Raila, a new picture emerged—the shadowy Dr Oburu Odinga as the new party leader. Oburu, in his life, became the family’s chief negotiator with successive governments and remained in government until after the demise of his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, while Raila either stayed in detention or exile.

The emergence of Oburu

Oburu was appointed acting party leader at dawn by the Central Committee without his knowledge and was only informed of the appointment by the ODM Director of Elections at the Kenyatta International Airport while waiting to receive his brother’s body from India.

Oburu, the architect of the broad-based government, has found himself at a crossroads as he watches and presides over what can be termed the slow puncturing and death of his beloved brother’s party.

That is why analysts are questioning the unprocedural appointment of Oburu Odinga as acting Party Leader and whether he stands for ODM ideals.

The strategy of making Oburu the party leader rode on the emotions of the moment following Raila’s death.

“The move was against the precedent set by Raila himself when he appointed Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o when the PM stepped aside to pursue the AU Chairmanship. Prof Nyong’o derived his clout from having been the party’s Secretary General, while Oburu’s relevance is only that he is Raila’s brother, since he has never held any senior party position,” argued a section of dissatisfied party members.

“I am not going to be shaken and will sit on the seat of party leader of ODM squarely. And anybody who thinks that Oburu Odinga is about to die or that Oburu Odinga is going soon is seriously mistaken,” Oburu said.

Internal cannibalism

MPs led by ODM Vice National Chairman Dr Otiende Amolo have said the wrangles in the party are worrying and a betrayal of the late Raila.

They said ODM was the largest party in the country and expressed concern over the spectacle of self-cannibalisation that has been exhibited of late in the party.

“It is testament to how much we miss the wisdom and iconic leadership of our departed Rt Hon Raila Odinga that divisive rhetoric has taken over our politics without restraint,” read the statement.

The statement, signed by Dr Otiende Amolo, Millie Odhiambo (MP, Suba North), Tom Odege (MP, Nyatike), Catherine Muma (Nominated MP), Dr John Ariko (MP, Turkana South), Martin Owino (MP, Ndhiwa) and Aduma Owuor (MP, Nyakach), called on the party leadership to convene party organs to address the situation.

“It is for this reason that we request our party leader, Dr Oburu Odinga, to move with speed, convene the party’s organs and help restore public confidence in the party before we begin to haemorrhage members to insignificant political formations,” they wrote.

The broad-based fallout

Winnie Odinga lit the fire over the management of the broad-based arrangement and called for a new team to manage it.

“There is something I wanted to tell you. When it came to the matter of the broad-based government, the people of ODM entrusted one person with the management of that relationship. That person was Baba Raila Amolo Odinga.

That relationship is complicated, and therefore we are wondering whether those who are now taking it upon themselves to manage it are capable of doing so.

I don’t think that is a question for me to answer. That is a question for the people of ODM to answer. That is why I am requesting that we go back to the people and have an NDC to see who the people want to pick to manage that same relationship,” she said.

Oburu responded by stating that he was the brain behind and chaired all the broad-based meetings between Raila and Ruto.

“Those who are saying that Oburu is not validly elected, I challenge them—if they say it is an NDC, let us go to the NDC and I will call it very soon,” he said.

Oburu said he had been chairing all the broad-based arrangements between Ruto and the late Raila.

“Those who are saying Oburu does not talk are talking nonsense. In this broad-based arrangement, I want to assure those saying that it was only Raila who could handle it and that Oburu does not know anything about it.

I want to tell them that all the meetings of the broad-based arrangement with Ruto were chaired by Oburu Odinga before you here today,” he said.

The rise of ODM and youth blood sacrifice

ODM became the great political party it is today by wading through the blood of youths who served as its foot soldiers.

In 2023, some 77 youths were shot dead by the UDA regime. In the 2024 Gen Z riots, over 100 youths were gunned down.

Several have disappeared to date, and many still face state-stage-managed criminal charges.

Killing ODM

The consequence of Hon Oburu’s recent announcement that he is the party’s automatic candidate neatly fits into the overarching scheme of the puppeteer to reduce ODM into a strictly Luo party. This is an evil scheme to kill ODM—a party many of us have sacrificed blood to build.

Mama Ida Odinga asked the ODM leadership not to kill the party but instead preserve it as a legacy.

By Anderson Ojwang

The late Raila Amolo Odinga’s political bedroom, Kibra, on Wednesday evening spoke loudly, bluntly and clearly. The message was pregnant, heavily loaded in symbolism and figurative in nature.

The spirits of the Enigma, Raila, too did not disappoint and left the conveners of the meeting with rotten eggs on their faces. The rally was a farce, a disappointment, colourless and a show of lack of leadership in the party.

If anything, it marked a false step in the political journey of the new party leader, Dr Oburu Odinga, and when he dropped the traditional head gear from his head to the ground and later a member of his team wore for him an ODM cape, it was so symbolic and telling.

The rally was a theatre and cocktail of a false start, chaos, confusion, disorganisation and a sad reality of the vacuum left behind by Raila, in which Oburu and his allies are struggling to fit in but have miserably failed.

Confusion and chaos galore

Confusion and chaos visited and built a home at the main podium as Oburu was heard begging to be allowed to address the crowd as MP Tom Kajwang urged him to speak.

Kajwang: Daktari, speak. Sema jambo kwa dakika moja. Daktari. Mos jo piny. (Doctor, speak to the people for a minute. Doctor, greet the people).

In response, Oburu said: Koro eka adwa wuoyo (it is now when I want to speak). To koro ok miya thuolo mondo alosi (Why don’t you give me the opportunity to speak?). Miya uru thuolo mondo alosi. Yawa (Kindly give me the opportunity to speak).

Kajwang tried calming the crowd: Ongea tu daktari, wuo awuoya (Doctor, just speak).

In the chaos and confusion, Oburu requested again: Koro wena uru mondo alosi (Now allow me to speak), and he spoke out, Wanainchi wa Kibra, hamjambo, but was drowned in noise and said, Ok owena thuolo mondo alosi. Wena uru thuolo mondo alosi, yawa (Kindly grant me the opportunity to speak, my people).

The crowd continued to push and pull, and Kajwang called one of Dr Oburu’s security details, Ken Adhu, to restore order, saying: Adhu, pang uru joma nitie tok daktari go (Adhu, kindly handle those people behind Dr Oburu).

He took the microphone again and said: Apenjie aye uru mondo koro alosi (I ask you to move so that I can speak). Wanainchi wa Kibra, munanizikiza. Leo ni leo.

Nimeanza na Kibra kwa sababu nilipoteza ndugu yangu, rafiki yangu, ambaye alikuwa party leader wangu (I have started my rallies with Kibra because I lost my brother and my party leader), and then spoke in Dholuo: Jodalawa, pod ayuago Raila. Ok ungeyo ni pod ayuago Raila. Ema omiyo aduogo e bedroom mar Raila mondo ayuage kaye, ema achake bura (My people, I am still mourning Raila. You know I am still mourning him. That is why I have begun the rallies from Raila’s bedroom).

Colourless and disorganised

The rally was a shadow of Raila’s political rallies in Kibra, which were a sea of humanity, well coordinated with proper security arrangements. Yesterday’s rally left Oburu and party leaders exposed as the public jammed the main dais.

Wide berth

The rally was given a wide berth by popular ODM leaders from Nairobi and nationally, including Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga and Siaya Governor James Orengo.

In attendance were ODM National Chairman Governor Gladys Wanga, ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir and his counterpart, Kisii Governor Simba Arati.

Recently, the ODM Central Committee mandated Oburu to engage in pre-election negotiations with President William Ruto’s UDA ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Conspicuously absent at the Kilifi meeting were Sifuna and Deputy Party Leader Geoffrey Osotsi.

The death of Raila has led to sharp divisions in the party, with Oburu leading a wing committed to a coalition alliance with Ruto, against the Orengo wing that wants the party to first reorganise before engaging in any coalition arrangement.

Last week, Mama Ida Odinga appealed to the party leadership not to kill ODM but instead to engage in dialogue in order to preserve Raila’s legacy.

“It is my wish that we preserve the party in his honour as a matter of service to our country. I appeal to those Baba left in the leadership of the party to reflect deeply and sincerely on his dreams for the party and for our country,” she said.

Last Friday in Alego, Oburu said the party would soon establish a committee to spearhead coalition negotiations with President Ruto’s UDA party.

Dr Oburu said ODM would form a team to negotiate with President Ruto on new coalition alliance terms, noting that the first preference would be given to President Ruto.

“Now as we approach 2027, we are not going to get into government through the back door. We are going to have a negotiated arrangement. It will be headed by me.

It will not be easy, but a tough negotiation. We will get our share. 2026 is the year of negotiations for any arrangements.

Either we go in partnership with UDA or any other party.

We will soon establish a negotiation team and start negotiating with others because it is difficult for a party to go it alone without seeking the support of other parties.”

Recently, a section of ODM legislators who were alarmed by self-cannibalism in the party requested Oburu to convene an urgent party meeting to contain the self-destruct situation.