At the heart of the brewing row is a fundamental disagreement over the party’s future.
The section of party officials are in limbo whether to remain a steadfast opposition force or to pivot toward a central role within the current government framework.
The sparks have began to fly following sentiments by Dr. Oburu Oginga, who has signaled a strategic shift for the party.
Oburu has noted that after decades in the cold, ODM is now determined to play a central role in the next GOVERNMENT.
This move, interpreted by many as a soft landing into a broader coalition with the UDA-led administration, has not sat well with the party’s old guard and ideological purists.
In a defiant show of loyalty to the party’s traditional grassroots identity, Siaya Governor James Orengo has made his position crystal clear.
During a charged rally in Kakamega, Orengo has effectively bypassed the newer pro-government rhetoric, declaring that he will henceforth only take political direction on party matters from Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
By aligning himself with Sifuna, who has remained a vocal critic of the current regime, Orengo is sending a pointed message that the soul of the party belongs to those who stay the course, not those seeking a shortcut to power.
The response from the top has been equally blunt. In a move to assert control, the party leadership has told off the Sifuna-aligned faction, suggesting that anyone uncomfortable with the current strategic direction is free to exit.
While the party maintains it won't officially expel members, the open door policy for departures underscores a growing intolerance for internal dissent.
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Politics