Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has alleged that internal divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) are being deliberately orchestrated by powerful individuals for their own benefit.

In a statement directed at party supporters on Monday, May 4, 2026, Olekina claimed that those in influential positions are not engaged in open conflict but are instead fostering disunity behind the scenes.

“The people at the top aren’t at war, they’re too busy engineering division to keep us distracted while they profit off it,” he said.

The senator warned that such tactics risk weakening the party by shifting focus away from meaningful priorities and long-term goals.

He urged ODM members to resist being drawn into internal disputes, calling on them instead to prioritize economic empowerment and wealth creation.

“Dear ODM family, we need to stop fighting each other over distractions and start building real wealth,” he added.

Olekina’s remarks come amid simmering tensions and debate within ODM, as the party navigates internal dynamics and positions itself for future political contests.

This comes as the Orange party faces a political storm, with two factions fighting to steer the party ahead of the 2027 polls. The Linda Ground faction, led by party leader Oburu Odinga, is seeking to form a coalition with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of 2027.

On the other hand, Linda Mwananchi, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo is opposing the move.

In the proposed pact with UDA, the party is also in a dilemma over zoning proposals, which the UDA party has rejected, while a section of ODM senior members want zoning enforced in the agreement.

Speaking in Mombasa on Sunday, May 3, 2026, Oburu called for unity within the party, urging leaders to shelve personal interests and focus on strengthening the political movement.

He emphasised that ODM’s strength has always been rooted in its diversity, but that this strength can only be meaningful if members embrace one another despite their differences.

“As we take this day to rest and reflect with our families and communities, I want to share a message that has been heavy on my heart regarding the future of our great nation and our party, ODM. Our strength has always been our diversity, but that strength is only realised when we embrace each other. We can disagree on policy without ever disregarding our shared purpose and humanity,” Oburu stated.