Orange Democratic Movement Leader Oburu Tells Dissenting Faction to Quit if Unhappy with UDA Talks

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Oburu Oginga has told dissenting members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to leave the party if they are uncomfortable with its decision to pursue negotiations with President William Ruto and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the next General Election

Speaking on Saturday during a rally in Siaya organised by the Linda Ground faction, Oburu dismissed resistance to the party’s new political direction, maintaining that ODM would not expel members but would also not be restrained by internal opposition

“What we want is the unity of our party; we’re not expelling anybody from the party, but anybody who feels that he is uncomfortable with us can leave if he likes,” he said.
“We’re going to do our own thing, please, if you’re not part of us do your own thing. We want to tell you to leave us alone”

Oburu’s remarks appeared to target leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi wing of the party, led by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo

The trio has publicly criticised ODM’s engagement with the Kenya Kwanza administration, arguing that the party risks abandoning its opposition role

Despite the backlash, Oburu defended the decision to open negotiations ahead of the 2027 polls, saying the party must position itself for power rather than remain in perpetual opposition

“What we’re discussing is how to strengthen our party, so that our party remains the leading party in this country called Kenya,” he said
“We have only expressed intention to start negotiations. I don’t know why some people are saying that we’re in a hurry — we’re in a hurry to go where?”

Oburu also announced that ODM had formally resolved to exit the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, declaring the coalition effectively defunct

“There is an organization called Azimio, where we were, and that Azimio died the day ODM left it. We left Azimio a long time ago, only that we had not formalized it. But now we have passed a resolution to formalize our exit from Azimio and it is going to be dead as a dodo,” he stated

 Also read : Teargas, Tension and Defiance Mark Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi Rally in Kakamega

He added that ODM would now chart its own political path, including possible power-sharing arrangements

“There is no political party which is formed just to be in the opposition. We have been in the opposition for a long time… this time round, we’re going to make sure that we are in power”

Meanwhile, the Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi faction held a parallel rally in Kakamega, vowing to remain steadfast despite political resistance and security concerns

The leaders said they would traverse the country championing the rights and interests of ordinary Kenyans, insisting they would not be intimidated or silenced

ODM has recently been linked to possible cooperation with UDA to support President Ruto’s re-election bid — a move that has deepened divisions within the party and sparked open dissent from sections of its leadership