A group of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislators has issued a public appeal for unity within the party, warning that escalating internal divisions and political intolerance could weaken the country’s largest opposition outfit ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a joint statement released on January 5, 2026, the MPs said ODM is still grappling with the loss of its longtime leader Raila Odinga, whose death two months ago they described as a profound blow to the party’s cohesion and moral compass. They said Odinga’s absence has exposed fault lines that are increasingly playing out in public, undermining the values of inclusion, tolerance and democracy that he championed throughout his political life .
“We continue to mourn the passing of our party leader Rt Hon Raila Amolo Odinga, but we still soldier on holding on to the principles that he taught us over the years,” the MPs said, adding that recent developments risk eroding those ideals.
The legislators expressed alarm over what they termed an emerging culture of violence and intolerance linked to political differences, citing several recent incidents. These include the reported physical attack on Lamu Woman Representative Muthoni Marubu in Murang’a over remarks related to the 2027 presidential contest, and allegations that Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai threatened Embakasi East MP Babu Owino following disagreements over political positions. They also referenced violence during recent by-elections, particularly in Kasipul Constituency, where two people were killed, warning that failure to address the trend could see the 2027 polls “rocked by untold violence” .
Beyond security concerns, the MPs said ODM is facing what they described as “self-cannibalization,” with senior party figures engaging in public spats that have exposed deep internal rifts. The statement pointed to growing tensions between factions aligned to different power centres following Raila Odinga’s death, including disagreements over party leadership, succession and strategy in the run-up to the next election cycle.
They singled out Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, urging them to “desist from public verbal slurs” and instead resolve disputes through internal party mechanisms. The MPs called for an internal “spitting session” to allow grievances to be aired privately and restore discipline within the party .
The appeal comes amid wider concerns that ODM’s internal disagreements have created space for smaller parties to make inroads into traditional ODM strongholds. The legislators said rival political outfits are “aggressively and strategically moving to occupy the spaces previously held by our beloved ODM party,” a trend they warned could accelerate if unity is not urgently restored .
They urged acting party leader Oburu Odinga to move swiftly to convene ODM’s organs, rebuild consensus and reassure supporters. According to the MPs, the current atmosphere of intolerance is at odds with ODM’s founding identity as a reformist movement rooted in democracy, free speech and social justice.
The statement was signed by seven MPs, including Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, Nyatike MP Tom Odege, Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino and Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor, reflecting growing unease within the parliamentary wing of the party over its direction.
Political analysts say the public intervention by ODM lawmakers underscores the depth of the party’s internal challenges in the post–Raila Odinga era, as competing ambitions and unresolved leadership questions threaten to reshape Kenya’s opposition landscape ahead of 2027.
Read: Raila Odinga Defends ODM-UDA Alliance as He Regrets Collapsed Adani Deal
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