The latest developments inside the Orange Democratic Movement have caused new tension among members who feel the party is moving away from the values it was built on.
A group of life members has raised strong concerns about how the party is being run, and they believe the direction taken by the current leadership risks weakening the organisation from within.
These members, led by Rachael Tabitha, decided to take formal action by submitting a petition demanding immediate changes in the party’s top leadership.
They argue that the situation has become too serious to ignore and that the party must return to fairness, openness, and respect for its own rules.
In their petition dated November 18, 2025, the life members accused party leader Oburu Odinga of breaking the ODM Constitution and creating an environment where long-serving members feel pushed aside.
They described this as a dangerous turn that goes against the party’s original spirit.
The petition expressed frustration with leaders who, according to them, speak confidently about holding their positions while ignoring clear rules such as Article 6.2.2(b) of the party constitution.
The group warned that such behaviour weakens trust among members and makes the party appear less committed to the rule of law it has always stood for.
The life members outlined three major demands they believe must be addressed for the party to stabilise.
First, they called for Oburu to resign from all leadership roles, saying that his continued stay in office was unacceptable.
Second, they asked for a National Delegates Convention to be held urgently so that all members can discuss what they described as a governance crisis.
Third, they insisted that the rights of life members and all other ODM members be fully respected, including giving them a voice in key decisions affecting the party’s future.
They gave the National Elections Board a 30-day deadline to act on these demands and warned that they would resign from the party if no action is taken.
Their push, they said, is motivated by loyalty to the legacy of the late Raila Odinga.
The tensions come at a time when the party is still adjusting to a major shift in leadership.
On November 13, 2025, the National Governing Council confirmed Oburu Odinga as the new party leader during a sitting in Mombasa ahead of the ODM@20 celebrations.
He had been acting leader since October 16, following Raila’s death.
The same meeting also confirmed new deputy party leaders, including Abdulswamad Nassir, Simba Arati, and Godfrey Osotsi.
Despite these decisions, disagreements remain strong.
During the recent celebrations in Mombasa, Winnie Odinga reminded members that the party was built through struggle and sacrifice, not secret deals.
She warned that some officials were attempting to undermine what ODM stands for. At the same time, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino used the event to voice his dissatisfaction, saying he had been sidelined in leadership matters.
He argued that the party should focus on issues affecting young people, including the rising cost of living, school fees, and basic goods. He also hinted that he could play a bigger role in the near future if the party continues to ignore the concerns of the youth.
