Kenya’s well-known political platform Political Ringside, often seen as the country’s best show for political matters and leadership, a recent discussion has brought fresh attention to the state of Orange Democratic Movement.
The conversation featured Davis Bin Oluoch, who shared his views on the challenges facing the party following the death of its longtime leader Raila Odinga.
According to Davis, ODM is currently divided into two main groups, each holding separate meetings and claiming legitimacy.
One meeting took place at Jamhuri Grounds, while another was held at Mfangano. He explained that both gatherings raised concerns because they may not have followed the official party procedures.
Under the rules set by the Registrar of Political Parties, such major meetings require a 21-day notice. In his view, what happened looked more like political rallies than proper National Delegates Conferences. He suggested that a valid and recognized conference could take place later in the year, possibly in November or December.
The divisions began after the passing of Raila Odinga in October. The party’s National Executive Committee proposed Oburu Oginga as interim leader. Changes were also made to leadership positions, including the removal of Edwin Sifuna as secretary general.
Other figures such: Simba Arati and Abdulswamad Nassir were also mentioned in the reshuffle. However, Davis questioned the speed of the swearing-in process, saying it may have skipped the required approval by a full delegates’ conference.
Recent interview on Political Ringside with host Fridah Mong’are and guest speaker Davis Bin Oluoch. Photo Courtesy/Political Ringside | YouTube.
There has also been resistance from leaders like James Orengo, with disagreements emerging over how decisions are being made.
Davis pointed to different influences within the party, mentioning figures such as Junet Mohamed and Gladys Wanga on one side, while others like John Mbadi are linked to different positions. He also noted ongoing discussions about possible cooperation with United Democratic Alliance, the party associated with President William Ruto. These ideas, he said, should be handled through proper party structures rather than informal processes.
Davis emphasized that the root of the conflict lies in how members interpret and follow party rules. He stressed the importance of respecting the ODM constitution and ensuring that all leagues within the party operate fairly.
For him, the focus should return to the party’s founding ideals, including support for devolution, improved education, and better healthcare. He noted that loyalty should be directed toward these principles instead of individual leaders.
Funding was also discussed. ODM receives support through the political parties fund and from grassroots contributions made by supporters.
Davis said the current tensions are mainly internal and not driven by outside influence. He also raised concerns about police presence at one of the meetings, suggesting it could discourage open participation and affect freedom of assembly.
Davis remains hopeful that ODM can recover. He pointed to its strong grassroots network and its links to international democratic movements.
He believes the party can benefit from bringing together experienced leaders and younger voices to reflect on its direction, especially with the 2027 elections approaching.
He also noted that the passing of Raila Odinga has created space for a new generation of leaders, including figures like Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino.
He called on members to protect the party’s legacy by focusing on unity and shared values. ODM, he said, should continue offering alternative ideas for governance while remaining grounded in its principles.
