The Orange Democratic Party (ODM) continues to experience internal turbulence following the death of its longtime leader, the late Honorable Raila Odinga, with senior party figures now openly differing on the party’s political direction.
What was once a unified movement under Raila’s leadership has increasingly become a battleground of competing interests, raising questions about ODM’s future positioning ahead of the 2027 General Election.
At the center of the debate is ODM Secretary General Senator Edwin Sifuna, who has been urging party members to stop aligning themselves too closely with President William Ruto’s administration.
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Sifuna maintains that ODM should remain guided by Raila Odinga’s political principles and only make a firm decision on its long-term alliances closer to 2027. He has cautioned against what he terms as the premature surrender of the party’s independence.
However, a rival faction within ODM, largely composed of leaders appointed to President Ruto’s Cabinet following the nationwide protests, has taken a different stance.
This group argues that the party should fully support the broad-based government, insisting that national stability and development take precedence over opposition politics.
On December 25, 2025, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir weighed in on the matter during a public event in Mombasa, issuing a firm warning to Senator Sifuna.
The governor made it clear that ODM would not abandon the broad-based government to return to the opposition benches.
He emphasized that the party’s participation in government was deliberate and rooted in the need to serve Kenyans effectively.
Governor Nassir further stated that the Mombasa region would remain firmly within government, arguing that Raila Odinga did not dedicate his life to politics only for ODM to isolate itself in opposition.
According to the governor, honoring Raila’s legacy means prioritizing unity, stability, and tangible development for the people.
His remarks underscore the growing rift within ODM, as the party struggles to redefine itself in the post-Raila era.
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