Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Oburu Oginga has launched a sharp attack on the rebel Linda Mwananchi faction, warning dissenting members that ODM will not tolerate indiscipline while outlining strict conditions for any possible reconciliation.

Speaking on Sunday, May 17, 2026, during the ODM Nyanza Delegates Consultative Forum, Oburu dismissed claims that the Orange Party leadership had become weak and accused members of the Linda Mwananchi camp of openly undermining party policy while still expecting to benefit from senior positions.

Party discipline

The ODM party leader said democracy within political parties must be accompanied by discipline and loyalty to collective decisions.

“Those who are saying that Linda something else, they are our people and members of our party, but they have forgotten one thing. That in a democracy there must be discipline,” Oburu said.

“You cannot just talk against the party policy, and you still expect a higher office in the same party. You cannot,” he added.

You think Oburu is old?

In some of his strongest remarks yet directed at the rebel faction, Oburu defended his leadership and pushed back against perceptions that age had weakened his authority within the party.

“You think we are weak? You think Oburu is old? I can assure you I am not weak. Old is gold,” he declared.

The remarks are likely to deepen the growing fallout between the party leadership and members aligned to the Linda Mwananchi movement, led by leaders including Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna, his Vihiga counterpart Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya governor James Orengo, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

Conditions for return to ODM

Oburu also suggested that members unhappy with ODM’s direction are free to leave the party, but warned that any return would come under strict conditions.

According to him, members of the rebel Linda Mwananchi faction are always welcome to the party, but they should forget about holding a higher office in the ODM in the meantime.

“And if they want to fly, they can just fly, but if they want to come back to the party, we shall readmit them, but they must know that when they come, they come with a coiled tail,” he said.

“And they should not think that they will come to start from the top,” he added.

ODM tensions escalating

The Linda Mwananchi faction has in recent months emerged as a vocal pressure group within ODM, often criticising the party’s cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration and calling for a more aggressive opposition stance.

The movement has increasingly positioned itself as the voice of grassroots supporters dissatisfied with the current direction of the party.

Oburu’s latest remarks now signal a hardening stance from ODM leadership as internal succession battles and ideological divisions continue to intensify ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Linda Mwananchi’s popularity

Oburu’s remarks come days after a new Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA) survey revealed overwhelming support for the Linda Mwananchi faction, significantly outshining the rival Linda Ground camp led by Oburu.

The survey painted a picture of an ODM support base increasingly gravitating toward a more aggressive, people-centred opposition approach, signalling growing discomfort with leaders perceived to be warming up to President William Ruto’s administration.

According to the TIFA findings released on Thursday, May 14, 2026, the Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi faction commands 73 per cent support among ODM supporters, compared to just 24 per cent for the Linda Ground camp. Only three per cent of respondents said they had no opinion.