Oburu Oginga Says ODM Will Not Expel Members Amid Growing Internal Tensions
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Oginga has addressed rising tensions within the party, making it clear that no member will be forced out despite increasing threats of defection by some leaders.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 14, at Kamkunji Grounds in Kibera, Oburu said the party leadership has no responsibility to stop anyone who feels uncomfortable from leaving.
The meeting marked ODM’s first major public engagement since the death of its long-time leader, Raila Odinga, and came at a time when the party is facing visible internal disagreements.
Oburu firmly stated that ODM will not carry out expulsions. Instead, he emphasized that members who feel dissatisfied are free to leave on their own terms.
He urged party members to focus on unity, especially as ODM prepares to begin pre-coalition negotiations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“We must move forward together as a party. We have no plans to remove anyone,” Oburu said. “If someone feels they want to leave, let them leave by themselves. But if we want to negotiate effectively, we must be united and strong.”
He warned that ODM cannot enter coalition talks while deeply divided, noting that internal unity is key if the party hopes to negotiate from a position of strength.
According to him, disagreements and public defiance only weaken the party’s bargaining power on the national political stage.
Oburu’s remarks come at a time when cracks within ODM are becoming more visible. A group of ODM Members of Parliament, led by Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, recently warned that there could be a mass exit from the party if the leadership attempts to expel Secretary General Edwin Sifuna over alleged party disloyalty.
During the Kamkunji rally, Oburu also defended the decision made by the party’s Central Management Committee (CMC) to initiate early coalition talks.
The resolution was reached during a CMC meeting held in Kilifi earlier in the week, where ODM agreed to begin pre-election negotiations as part of its long-term strategy for 2027.
As part of this approach, ODM plans to hold discussions with several political parties, including President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Party leaders say the goal is to strengthen ODM’s national presence and ensure it remains politically relevant in the next election cycle.
The Kibera meeting attracted several senior ODM figures, including party chairperson Gladys Wanga and deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and Simba Arati. Their presence signaled strong backing for the party’s current direction.
However, the absence of key figures such as Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino did not go unnoticed.
Their failure to attend added to speculation about internal disagreements and deepening divisions within the party.
Oburu concluded by challenging dissatisfied members to make their decisions clearly, stating that ODM will continue with its plans regardless of who stays or leaves.
His firm stance has further highlighted the simmering tensions within the party as it pushes ahead with coalition talks and prepares for the political battles leading to 2027.
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