A discussion on Political Ringside has brought attention to growing uncertainty within the Orange Democratic Movement following the death of Raila Odinga, with ODM Youth League member Davis Bin Oluoch raising concerns about leadership, decision-making, and internal processes.
He explained that the party is currently facing confusion over who is in charge and how key decisions should be made moving forward.
Oluoch described a situation where two separate National Delegates Conferences were held almost at the same time by different groups within the party. One meeting took place at Jamhuri Gardens, while another was organized at a different venue.
According to him, both sides claimed to represent the true direction of ODM, but neither followed the party’s constitution or the guidelines set by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
This raised serious concerns about legitimacy and whether any decisions made in those meetings can be considered valid.He pointed out that proper procedures were not followed.
For example, the required 21-day notice for such a conference was not given. He also questioned the credibility of some individuals leading the process, noting that some people holding Youth League positions were above the age limit required for those roles.
In his view, these gatherings appeared more like political shows of strength rather than formal meetings meant to make binding decisions.ODM has an established structure that guides how decisions should be made.
At the lower level is the Central Management Committee, followed by the National Executive Council, then the National Governing Council, and finally the National Delegates Conference.
Each level has a role to play, and major steps are expected to follow this chain. Oluoch argued that this process was ignored, with different factions choosing their own approach.
Following Odinga’s death, the National Executive Council proposed Oburu Oginga as interim leader. At the same time, some deputies, including Gladys Wanga, had already been sworn in during an earlier National Governing Council meeting in Mombasa.
Oluoch said this move came too early and should have waited for approval through a properly conducted National Delegates Conference. He also mentioned key figures such as Edwin Sifuna and Junet Mohamed as influential voices in the ongoing discussions, with different sides pushing their own positions.
He made it clear that money is not the main issue affecting the party. ODM continues to receive funding from public sources and its members.
Instead, the real problem is about legitimacy and representation. Oluoch stressed that authority in the party should come from its members, not from a small group of leaders.
He added that decisions about possible alliances, including any cooperation with the United Democratic Alliance, should involve wider consultation.
The discussion also touched on the presence of police at one of the meeting venues, which raised concerns among some members.
Oluoch felt this was unusual for a party that has historically defended democratic freedoms, and it created suspicion about possible outside influence.
While William Ruto was mentioned, Oluoch did not directly blame him for the situation. However, he noted that a divided ODM could affect the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections, especially if the party becomes too weak to act as a strong opposition or partner.
ODM was founded on principles such as equality, devolution, and better access to services. Oluoch emphasized that the party now faces a key test of whether it can remain true to these ideals without relying on one central figure.
He suggested that the current moment could also give younger leaders a chance to step forward and help reshape the party’s future.
He proposed that ODM should organize a broad meeting that brings together elders and members from different sides to openly discuss its direction.
According to him, this would help rebuild unity and restore confidence among supporters. Without such efforts, the party risks losing its strength. However, if it manages to resolve its differences, ODM could still remain a key force in Kenya’s political space.
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