Millie Odhiambo reveals details of recent ODM meeting amid fears of party cracks
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 11, 2026Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo has disclosed details of a recent meeting that brought together a section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) rebel leaders at an undisclosed location.
Speaking during an interview with a local radio station aired on Sunday, January 11, 2025, 2 days after the meeting that saw a group of leaders, the majority are opposed to the party, supporting president William ruto’s reelection in 2027
According to Millie Odhiambo, the meeting was purely focused on unity and cohesion within ODM. She noted that over the past few weeks, and even months, the party have experienced divergent views, with members pulling in different political directions. She said the leaders felt it was important to listen to one another, understand the issues causing divisions, and find a way to move forward together as one party.
“The meeting was about unity in ODM and cohesion. As you have seen over the last few days, or maybe over a month or so, there have been very many divergent views, people pulling in different directions, and we thought it was important just to listen to the divergent views.”
Who organised the meeting?
Odhiambo further explained that the initial approach was diplomatic. The organisers first identified members who had not taken extreme positions on the contentious issues within the party.
She noted that these individuals formed the initial group who were led by Rarieda MP Otiende Omolo, who issued a presser calling for consensus in the party as a way of solving the escalating tensions after the outburst between Suna East MP Junet Mohammed and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
According to Millie Odhiambo, the meeting, which was termed as a ‘sit and talk’ meeting by Edwin Sifuna, further expanded to include members who hold divergent views on the partys
On the location of the meeting, Millie Odhiambo confirmed that it took place at a hotel in Nairobi called the Nairobi View Hotel. She clarified that the venue was not a secret and that the meeting was held in an open space, accessible and visible, dismissing claims that the gathering was clandestine.
On who planned and mobilised the meeting, which has since sparked widespread reactions, Odhiambo stated that there was no single organiser. S
He explained that the meeting came together organically through conversations enabled by technology, particularly WhatsApp platforms, where party members frequently interact. Through these discussions, leaders agreed to meet, with each participant inviting others of like mind.
She emphasised that the meeting was a collective effort by leaders who share similar concerns about the future of the party and who were also part of a recent press briefing held days earlier.
“And I tell you, many of us planned the meeting because of technology. And because of technology, people get to talk. You know, now we talk to each other on WhatsApp. We ought to see what’s happening in our wider WhatsApp. And then you start talking like, Can I meet you? Then somebody says, ‘Can I come with so-and-so?’ Then I said, ‘Can I come with so-and-so and so-and-so?’ Really, I wouldn’t say there’s one set of us who planned the meeting.”
Attendees of the meeting
She went ahead to dismiss claims that the meeting was composed of leaders within ODM who are opposed to broad-based support, saying that the meeting was based on who was available at that time and not necessarily on one’s view on the party’s support for Broad-Based Government.
Giving an example of Vihiga Senator Geoffrey Ososti, who was absent during the meeting and opposed to the party’s alignment with the broad-based setup.