Inside ODM Rift: Oparanya Lifts Lid on Hardliners Who Blocked Unity Push

Wycliffe Oparanya has opened up on the internal challenges he faced while attempting to unite rival factions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), saying resistance from party hardliners derailed reconciliation efforts.

Speaking on the growing divisions within the party, the former Kakamega governor said he made several attempts to bridge political differences among key figures in ODM in a bid to strengthen party unity. However, according to Oparanya, some influential individuals within the party frustrated the process, making it difficult to achieve consensus.

Oparanya noted that his efforts were aimed at building a more cohesive political outfit capable of remaining strong amid shifting political dynamics in the country. He argued that unity within ODM remains crucial, particularly as political alignments continue to evolve ahead of future electoral contests.

Claims of Resistance from Within ODM

The former ODM deputy party leader said some leaders viewed reconciliation efforts with suspicion, creating unnecessary obstacles in the push to bring rival camps together. He suggested that personal political interests and internal power struggles contributed to the resistance he encountered.

According to Oparanya, internal disagreements have occasionally weakened the party’s ability to speak with one voice, warning that prolonged wrangles could affect ODM’s standing as one of Kenya’s leading political movements.

Despite the setbacks, he maintained that efforts to promote unity should not stop, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and tolerance among leaders with differing political views.

Call for Party Cohesion

Oparanya urged ODM members to place the party’s broader interests above individual ambitions, arguing that political competition within the party should not undermine its long-term stability.

He stressed that strong internal cohesion will be necessary for ODM to remain politically relevant and influential as the country approaches another phase of political realignments and succession conversations.

His remarks come at a time when debates over leadership, alliances, and the party’s future direction continue to dominate political discussions within ODM, with several senior leaders increasingly taking different positions on national matters.