The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has called on the media to exercise restraint and avoid sensational reporting about the party’s internal affairs in the wake of Raila Odinga’s death. The party urged journalists to focus on unity and the continuation of the late leader’s legacy rather than fueling speculation about internal divisions.
In a statement issued after a meeting of the ODM Central Management Committee, Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said the biggest challenge the party faces is maintaining cohesion and renewing its mission after the passing of its long-time leader.
“I beseech the media to avoid the tendency for sensationalism and the incessant hunt for negative news within the party,” Sifuna said. “ODM’s biggest problem now will not be which faction is winning against which one. Today, the Central Management Committee has met and laid a firm foundation of unity upon which we can build.”
The committee appealed to journalists to highlight ODM’s efforts to stay united, describing the party as a “fabric built from diverse materials originating from across the country.” The leaders added, “We may not always speak the same language, but we know how to avoid the pitfalls of division that will happen on our path.”
ODM reaffirmed its commitment to the principles upon which the late Raila Odinga founded the party democracy, equity, inclusion, and truth. “Baba built this movement on the foundation of values,” Sifuna said. “ODM is not just a political party; it is a covenant that we, the living, must now renew.”
The party also cautioned members and supporters against engaging in internal wrangles or attempting to claim Raila’s political inheritance. ODM emphasized that his true legacy lies in the mission to create a fair and just Kenya, urging all members to rally behind this vision in his memory.
