Amisi proposes new ODM leadership lineup if Sifuna seizes party from Oburu
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 28, 2026Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has come out with a proposed party leadership lineup should the now-embattled Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna manage to seize control of the party from its current leader, Oburu Odinga.
While speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Friday, February 27, 2026, the outspoken second-term MP stated that what Sifuna, who is currently at loggerheads with other leaders at the helm of ODM, including Oburu, should focus on now is taking over the party leadership.
According to Amisi, the standoff between the two leaders has now been reduced to a full-blown political fight.
Amisi continued to emphasise that taking control of the party should be Sifuna’s immediate focus.
“If we take over ODM, because I’ve told Sifuna, the first thing is, as we take over ODM, yeah, it’s a war. Whoever wins, wins, and in a war, there are casualties.”
He argued that once that is achieved, the Nairobi senator can then sit down and strategise on how the party should move forward, including removing leaders within ODM who are backing President William Ruto’s second-term bid and supporting the pre-coalition pact between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ODM.
Amisi’s Proposed ODM lineup
He further stated that once Sifuna secures the party, he could consider giving the party leader position to Siaya Governor James Orengo, who is opposed to the Oburu-led faction, while Sifuna retains his secretary general position. Alternatively, Sifuna could take up the party leader post himself or even serve as Orengo’s deputy.
“So I’ve told him, please take over the party. Either let Orengo be the party leader. You can remain his deputy or his SG, or you can give Babu the secretary general.”
Amisi also introduced another scenario involving Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who has been vocal about his interest in becoming ODM party leader and has even called for a Special National Delegates Conference (NDC) to rubber-stamp his interests within the party.
According to Amisi, Owino could still serve as secretary general or even take up the party leader position he has recently shown interest in. With Orengo and Sifuna taking the party and deputy leader positions.
He clarified that there is no fixed lineup but emphasised that both Orengo and Sifuna are capable of leading the party.
He also mentioned Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who currently serves as Deputy Party Leader, and part of their faction, saying he too has the capacity to lead ODM should Sifuna succeed in taking control from Oburu.
On his part, Amisi stated that he is not interested in any top party leadership position. Instead, he said he would prefer serving as chairman or in an advisory role similar to a council of elders or a council of eminent persons to guide the running of the party after reclaiming it from what he termed the rival faction within ODM.
“I don’t want to be a party leader of ODM, and that one, I’ve left to them. I can be the council of elders to guide persons in the party to help them navigate the ship properly,” Amisi said.
He added that once Sifuna manages to take over and reorganise the Orange party, the next step would also be identifying and fronting a strong presidential flag bearer.
Oburu-Sifuna feud
The Oburu–Sifuna feud has led to fragmentation within ODM, a party that has weathered all political storms for over two decades without breaking apart under the leadership of its late party leader, Raila Odinga.
However, divisions became more pronounced following his death.
The split has resulted in the emergence of two camps. The “Linda Ground” faction, which Osotsi previously claimed was crafted at President Ruto’s home in Kiligoris on December 27, 2025, during an indoor meeting, supports the Central Management Committee’s decision for ODM to enter into a pact with UDA.
Linda Mwanachi’s team
On the other hand, the Sifuna-led team has formed a rival movement dubbed “Linda Mwananchi”, which strongly opposes Oburu’s faction and the proposed cooperation with UDA.
This effect saw Sifuna being stripped of his SG slot, and it was given to Busia woman rep. Catherine Omanyo, who was his deputy secretary general. But Sifuna received a reprieve after the political parties’ dispute tribunal reinstated it.