The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Kenya’s once-dominant opposition party, is teetering on the brink of a major internal split. Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has sounded the alarm, declaring the party “dead” and in the final stages of decline. “As we speak, we are experiencing ‘Disco Matanga’ in ODM. Basically, it is dead we are now dancing, waiting for the burial day,” said Amisi.
While affirming his respect for party leader Raila Odinga, Amisi criticized the ODM leadership for failing to address growing discontent within the party. He urged young members to refrain from insulting Raila on social media, emphasizing his significance in Kenya’s democratic history, even if some disagree with his current political direction.
The crisis comes amid widening cracks within ODM, now visibly split into two camps one led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and another aligned with Nyanza leaders loyal to Raila. At the heart of the rift is Sifuna’s declaration that ODM should not back President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027. This was seen as contradicting Raila’s recent openness to supporting Ruto, possibly as part of a political deal involving the broad-based government initiative.
Tensions escalated further over the weekend with rival ODM factions holding parallel meetings in Kakamega and Kisumu counties. In Kakamega, MPs allied to Sifuna rallied behind his stance, urging support for his anti-Ruto position. Simultaneously, in Muhoroni, Nyanza leaders, led by ODM national chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, lashed out at Sifuna, insisting he does not speak for the party.
“Raila Odinga has never instructed us to leave the agreement. So, if you speak against the broad-based government, you’re not speaking on behalf of ODM,” said Wanga.
To salvage the situation, Raila has reportedly called for a Central Management Committee meeting to address the underlying tensions and forge a unified path forward. However, with emotions running high and public spats intensifying, ODM’s future as a cohesive political force remains in serious jeopardy.
