A political exchange has erupted between Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai and Narok Senator Ledama Olekina after remarks by the senator declaring a renewed push to strengthen the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in its traditional Nyanza strongholds.

In a strongly worded statement shared via his official X account on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Ledama vowed that attempts to weaken or “annihilate” the Orange party would fail, insisting that ODM remained resilient despite internal and external pressures.

He further announced plans to tour parts of Nyanza, including Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori, saying he intended to “ignite the fire” among supporters and reinforce loyalty to the late party founder and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

“We can’t EVER end up like KANU NEVER, no matter what! Those diabolical schemes to annihilate the Orange Democratic Movement? Be brutally warned: we are MIGHTIER than you can fathom!” Ledama wrote on X.

“Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori brace yourselves, I’m storming in SOON to ignite your fire and remind you who STOOD FIRM with Baba in the darkest hours!”

Alai fires warning

However, his remarks drew a sharp and sarcastic response from Alai, who dismissed the optimism as unrealistic and accused ODM leaders of failing to maintain unity within the party.

According to Alai, the ODM party is currently so scattered that its members cannot do anything meaningful.

“LOL… My brother. You guys didn’t listen and now we are too scattered to do anything meaningful,” Alai stated.

The blogger-cum-politician went ahead to accuse a section of the Orange party leaders of being insecure to the extent of not allowing anyone to build ODM.

“My sister Gladys Wanga will fight you vibaya if you try to make ODM popular anywhere. People are too insecure to allow anyone to build ODM,” Alai wrote.

He also referenced a purported attack on party figure Oketch Salah in Siaya, claiming it reflected deeper divisions within the party.

“Oketch Salah was attacked and almost killed in Siaya for doing nothing but just promoting our party, ODM. Our leaders have become selfish brokers,” he added.

ODM wrangles

The remarks have reignited debate over internal cohesion within the Orange Democratic Movement, particularly in its Nyanza base, which has long been considered its political stronghold.

Currently, the party has two factions: the Linda Ground faction allied to party leader Oburu Oginga and the rebel Linda Mwananchi faction led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Owino and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi.

The Linda Mwananchi faction staged two successful rallies in Vihiga and Kisumu over the weekend, where they accused the Linda Ground faction of attempts to kill the ODM party.