The Orange Democratic Movement is facing growing internal tension after a faction of its leaders allied to Secretary General Edwin Sifuna launched the “Linda Mwananchi Tours” in Busia County.
The move has exposed deep divisions within the party and openly challenged the authority of the long-standing leadership led by ODM Party Leader Dr. Oburu Oginga.
What was once handled quietly within party structures is now playing out in public, raising serious questions about unity and direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Linda Mwananchi Tour is set to begin in Busia Town on Sunday, February 8. It is expected to bring together several ODM lawmakers, party officials, and political voices who say they want to reconnect the party with ordinary citizens.
The tour will feature public rallies and direct engagements with residents, with organizers saying the aim is to listen to people’s concerns and reflect them in the party’s political agenda.
However, many within ODM see the initiative as a direct counter to the “Linda Ground Campaigns” led by Oburu Oginga and the party’s traditional wing.
The leaders fronting the new tour are largely opposed to the emerging cooperation framework between ODM and the ruling UDA party.
This framework has the backing of Oburu and other senior figures who believe engagement with the government is necessary for stability and influence.
On the other side, Sifuna’s allies argue that such an approach weakens ODM’s role as an opposition party and distances it from citizens struggling with economic pressure and governance issues.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is expected to play a central role in the Busia launch, alongside Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, and Nyamira Senator Erick Okong’o Mogeni.
Several Members of the National Assembly, including Babu Owino, Caleb Amisi, Wanami Wamboka, Patrick Makau, Joshua Kimilu, and Majimbo Kalasinga, are also set to participate. Other lawmakers such as Wilberforce Oundo, Raphael Wanjala, Caroli Omondi, Obadiah Barongo, Clive Gisairo, and Antoney Kibagendi will join the tour, signaling broad support within this faction.
The inclusion of political analyst Brian Weke adds another dimension to the initiative. His presence suggests that the tour is not just about rallies but also about shaping a clear political message and strategy.
Supporters of the tour say it represents a fresh voice within ODM, one that speaks to citizens who feel the party’s leadership has drifted away from its original ideals.
The message being pushed by the Linda Mwananchi Tour focuses on economic hardship, governance reforms, and the protection of civil rights.
This approach stands in contrast to Oburu’s Linda Ground Campaigns, which are closely linked to cooperation with the ruling coalition.
The Sifuna faction appears to be making a deliberate statement, targeting a politically important region in western Kenya where ODM has traditionally enjoyed strong support.
The differences within ODM are becoming harder to manage. Although the party has not issued an official statement on the tour, insiders admit that disagreements over alliances and strategy are deepening.
If not addressed, these divisions could weaken ODM’s organization and reduce its influence on the national stage.
The Linda Mwananchi Tour is therefore more than a simple outreach program. It reflects a wider struggle over who controls the party’s future and what ODM should stand for.
Whether the rival camps can find common ground remains unclear, but what is certain is that the internal cracks within ODM are now firmly in the open.
