By Anderson Ojwang
Two historic venues, Jamhuri Park and Ufangamano House, heralded a new post-Raila Amolo Odinga political dispensation in his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
The two factions in the ODM, Linda Ground of Dr Oburu Oginga and Linda Wananchi of Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, made good their plans and held parallel NDCs, with various branches showing affiliation to the two camps.
At Ufangamano House, the high presence of police and armoured anti-riot vehicles—a trademark that became part and parcel of Raila’s and ODM’s political journey—returned. The police built camp outside the venue.
The die-hard Raila supporters did not fail the Sifuna-led team, as they forced their way into the venue, with Sifuna declaring that they should not fear the police and tear gas.
“We are in the footsteps of our leader Raila Odinga. What can we fear? That is why they sent the police to intimidate us. But we cannot be cowed and we are not cowards,” he said.
Siaya Governor James Orengo, who was accompanied by his Siaya County ODM branch chair, capped it by saying the soul of Raila was at Ufangamano House and dismissed the Jamhuri meeting as illegal and unconstitutional.
“The soul of Raila Amolo Odinga is here. We are the children of Raila Odinga. We are reformists and fighters. We are winners. Those are opportunists,” Orengo said.
Sifuna also declared that he cannot work with the party leader Dr Oburu, National Chairperson Gladys Wanga and Director of Elections Junet Mohammed.
At Jamhuri Park, the NDC confirmed Oburu, Kisii Governor Simba Arati and his Mombasa counterpart Abdulsamad Nassir as deputy party leaders, while Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga was ratified as the National Chairperson.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi was kicked out as deputy party leader, while Sifuna’s post was left intact. Osotsi had earlier written that he would not attend but would instead be at the Linda Mwananchi meeting at Ufangamano.
He wrote, “We, the people, shall gather for the people’s NDC at Ufangamano House. Any other NDC gathering is illegitimate.”
The much-lobbied bid for Winnie Odinga to become deputy party leader failed to materialise, and she appealed to the party leadership not to expel anyone from the party.
Oburu told Winnie that the party would not expel anyone, but officials causing disunity would have to be sacked from their positions.
“I have heard what my daughter Winnie has said. We will not expel anyone, but those holding positions in the party who are causing disunity will have to be sacked. You cannot come out to criticise the resolution of the majority and want to lean on your tribe to support your agenda. The minority will have their say, but the majority their way. That is democracy,” he said.
Oburu said he would not wish to witness the party follow the path it took at its formation, following the battle over leadership between ODM-K under Raila and Kalonzo Musyoka.
Oburu said the party will form a technical team to negotiate with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) over pre-election coalition arrangements.
“My brother left us in a broad-based government. I have been mandated to embark on negotiations. I will form a technical team to negotiate with UDA,” he said.
But Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said their objective was to ensure President Ruto was defeated in the 2027 general elections and that they would not enter or recognise any pre-election coalition engagement.
“We know President Ruto sponsored the Oburu NDC and they have fallen into his trap. We know what Raila wanted, and we cannot betray his soul and legacy in death,” he said.
Junet said ODM will not negotiate with UDA in areas considered its strongholds, adding that zoning was the first condition.
“We will not allow UDA to field candidates in zones where ODM has governors, MPs, MCAs and other elected leaders. That is non-negotiable,” he said.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said Oburu had presided over the death of his younger brother Raila’s legacy.
He wrote on social media, “Oburu’s team, you are messing up Raila’s legacy. Take a rest, alone, and think about when you visited your brother in prison.”
Linda Mwananchi, after “stealing” Raila’s soul, now moves to Mombasa this weekend, while Linda Ground embarks on boardroom negotiations with President Ruto.
For Oburu, history may have caught up with him in just five months—presiding over the first sacking in Raila’s party and witnessing the disintegration of his brother’s political outfit.
Just like the battle between Raila, a former Vice President, and the late Wamalwa Kijana over control of Ford-K, Oburu has stoked a similar flame, pitting him against Sifuna.
It may only be a matter of time before Oburu carries the “head” to Kango ka Jaramogi, while Sifuna flies with the “soul” to the land of prophet Elijah Masinde, just as Wamalwa once did.
