Didmus Barasa calls for ODM internal cleanup to strengthen bargaining position
By Emmanuel Rono, March 31, 2026Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has claimed that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) needs to strengthen its internal ranks for it to get the most out of its political power.
Speaking during an interview with a local station on Monday, March 30, 2026, Barasa said ODM must remove members with divided loyalties to maximize its influence.
Barasa noted that the party’s primary strength is derived from its formal structures and constitution, which guide its operations.
“As a party you become stronger in your bargain if you have a united front, if you are speaking in the same voice and I think the only way to strengthen ODM’s by bargaining point is to kick out those personalities within within her rank and file that appear to be pregnant of other political parties that appear to be associating with other political parties and they have already moved on,” Barasa said.
Focus on safe negotiating grounds
According to Barasa, removing these individuals who have already moved on to other movements is the only way to ensure that when parties sit down to discuss, they can negotiate from a safer political space.
“Once they have moved on, we can sit down to negotiate on equal terms,” Barasa said.
Barasa claimed that factions within the party, such as those involving Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and others, do not diminish its power but instead can strengthen its bargaining position.
He said that the ODM party has structures guiding its operations, claiming that the external factions have an impact on the party.
“ODM has structures. It is one of the political parties in this country that has structures that have a constitution that guides their operations, and that is their strength. So the factions of Sifuna and the rest don’t weaken their power. In fact, it strengthens their bargaining power,” Barasa noted.
Robert Alai on ODM leadership
Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai also launched an attack on the leadership of the ODM, warning that ongoing internal wrangles could ultimately undermine President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.
Taking to his official X account on Sunday, March 29, 2026, Alai claimed that the party’s current leadership struggles and failure to take decisive action against dissent were eroding ODM from within.
“The leadership of ODM will destroy President Ruto’s campaign,” Alai stated.
The outspoken MCA accused Sifuna of defying party leadership and continuing to act with impunity, alleging that he is still using official party resources while openly criticising senior figures within ODM.