Amisi foresees looming split in ODM following Raila’s death
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 28, 2025Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has predicted a possible split in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following the death of its long-serving leader, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking during an interview on Obinna TV on Monday, October 27, 2025, Amisi said that the unity and longevity of ODM for over two decades were largely anchored on Raila’s leadership.
According to him, no one within the party can match the qualities, resilience, and political wisdom that Raila embodied, which enabled the party to survive numerous political storms that destroyed even older parties.
Watch: Amisi foresees looming split in ODM following Raila’s death
“Definitely, it might fall without a person with similar principles, because the party was not built in vain. It was not built in a vacuum. Why? Why do you say ODM is the biggest party in central, I mean, in the north of the Limpopo River and the south of the Sahara?” Amisi said.
Also Watch: Anyang Nyong’o says ODM will have a presidential candidate in 2027
Amisi noted that for ODM to remain strong, it requires a leader with the same stature and principles that Raila had, a person who can unite divergent political views and maintain the trust of members across the country. Without such leadership, he warned, the party risks collapsing under internal wrangles and mistrust.
“Are you telling us? There is no other party; the other parties, but the ODM, have existed to be the strongest party, well-structured and very formidable, crossing about four elections and not dying because of one man, Raila Amolo Odinga, because of his struggles, the history, the seven years of prison, and the commitment to the nationhood that will not take a nation to war,” Amisi stated.
Managing descending voices
The legislator lamented that the party has recently turned its energy towards fighting young leaders within its ranks, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and himself, simply for expressing independent opinions.
He pointed out that during Raila’s tenure, divergent opinions were tolerated and handled with dialogue rather than hostility, a quality that kept the party intact.
Amisi expressed concern that labelling young leaders as sympathisers of the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua simply because they hold differing views is unfair and short-sighted.
Also Watch: ODM open to Ruto picking Wanga as running mate, says Nassir
He questioned why, during Raila’s time, no one was ever chased out of the party for having dissenting opinions, urging ODM to embrace internal democracy if it intends to survive in the post-Raila era.
Who to lead ODM
He went on to state that there is no one within the party capable of leading or filling into the shoes of the late party leader.
According to him, ODM can only be led by a council of elders comprising experienced leaders such as Siaya Senator James Orengo, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, and others with vast political experience.
Amisi emphasised that Raila Odinga was an institution in himself, and the shoes he left behind are too big for any single individual to fill.