A fresh political storm is brewing within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following remarks by Kileleshwa Member of Parliament Robert Alai, who has openly criticized party leaders Gladys Wanga and Oburu Odinga over what he terms as a critical leadership misstep.
Speaking amid growing divisions in the party after the death of Raila Odinga, Alai claimed that the two leaders have distanced themselves from ordinary party members and grassroots communication channels—something he insists Raila carefully avoided throughout his political career.
ODM has in recent months been grappling with internal wrangles, with one faction reportedly leaning towards supporting William Ruto in the next election cycle, while another insists on maintaining the party’s independence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The divisions have seen leaders like Edwin Sifuna and James Orengo emerge on the opposing side of Oburu’s faction.
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However, it is Alai’s claims about communication breakdown that have sparked fresh debate.
He alleges that both Wanga and Oburu rarely take direct calls, instead delegating communication to aides—an approach he argues is weakening the party’s connection with its support base.
“Raila used to personally engage with Kenyans from all walks of life. That is how he stayed informed and politically relevant even during crises,” Alai reportedly stated.
Political analysts warn that such a disconnect could cost ODM its traditional grassroots strength, which has historically been its backbone during turbulent political periods.
Raila’s hands-on approach, they note, allowed him to tap into real-time public sentiment, a strategy many credit for the party’s resilience.
As ODM navigates its post-Raila era, pressure is mounting on its current leadership to adopt a more inclusive and accessible style—lest the party risks further fragmentation at a critical political juncture.
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