Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo has opened up about the internal wrangles that rocked ODM during the attempt to remove Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the party’s secretary general.
He revealed that he strongly opposed the move and even warned senior party leader Oburu Oginga that the decision would hurt ODM politically and create deeper divisions within the party.
Speaking on Friday, May 1, during a burial ceremony in Ndori village, East Asembo Ward, Otiende said he personally met Oburu before the crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Mombasa.
During that discussion, he urged him to drop the plan, saying there was no proper reason to remove Sifuna and that the action would weaken party unity.
According to Otiende, his advice was ignored despite his sincere warning.
The lawmaker explained that he had also earlier advised ODM leaders during another meeting at Ciala Resort to embrace unity under the message of “gather all, scatter none.” He said leaders should have focused on bringing members together rather than pushing each other away.
However, he claimed that those concerns were dismissed, paving the way for the current conflict.
When the issue was eventually tabled at the Mombasa NEC meeting, Otiende said he firmly stood against the proposal to oust Sifuna. He disclosed that out of 41 NEC members, only three leaders voted against the decision.
These were himself, former Kisii Deputy Governor Timothy Bosire, and Ruth Odinga. Despite their objections, the majority supported the move, leaving the dissenting voices outnumbered.
Otiende also addressed growing speculation about his political loyalty amid the emergence of rival ODM factions such as Linda Mwananchi and Linda Ground. He insisted that he remains faithful to the ideals left behind by ODM leader Raila Odinga and has not shifted camps.
He clarified that he has not joined any new faction and still believes in the original vision of the party.
According to him, frustrations being expressed by members of the Linda Mwananchi faction are rooted in unfair treatment from within ODM itself. He said he had repeatedly raised such concerns while still actively participating in party affairs, but nobody listened until the divisions became public.
Meanwhile, ODM’s once firm grip in Kisumu County appears to be weakening. A fresh survey by Mizani Africa shows that internal wrangles have significantly reduced the party’s support in one of its traditional strongholds.
The poll indicates that the Linda Mwananchi faction, associated with Sifuna and leaders pushing for a stronger opposition stand, now enjoys 36.2% support in Kisumu. On the other hand, the Linda Ground faction linked to Oburu Oginga and leaders backing cooperation with the broad-based government arrangement has secured 19.1%.
Combined, the two factions hold 55.3%, but that is still far below the earlier united ODM support of 71% recorded in early April 2026.
At the same time, the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), led by President William Ruto, has gained ground sharply in Kisumu.
The party’s support has risen from 11.7% to 24.5%, showing that ODM’s internal battles are creating space for competitors in a region that was once considered untouchable.
Elsewhere, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o criticised proposals within ODM to introduce zoning of political seats. He warned that such a strategy could damage democracy by denying leaders the freedom to contest in any area and reducing voters’ right to choose their preferred candidates.
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has also spoken out during the dispute. She defended herself after being accused by ODM bloggers of being jealous of party chairperson Gladys Wanga whenever she expressed different opinions.
Millie dismissed the claims and launched the hashtag #Iamjealousofwanga in response.
She maintained that she opposed Sifuna’s removal because of democratic principles, not personal interests. According to her, some leaders only supported his ouster because they wanted to inherit his seat in the party.
She also said she would not support zoning, insisting that leaders should win positions based on merit and service delivery.
Millie further claimed that during one of the ODM meetings in Kilifi, some unnamed leaders hired goons to attack Sifuna. She alleged that when they failed to find him, they turned on her instead.
She said she and Otiende had been trying to bring peace by holding meetings with both factions, but tensions remained high.
The divisions within ODM continue to expose sharp disagreements over leadership, party ideology, and future direction. While some leaders want cooperation with the government, others insist ODM must remain a strong opposition force.
With reconciliation talks still uncertain, the battle for control of the party appears far from over.
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