Oburu holds consultative session to strengthen ODM party cohesion in Siaya
By Cy Muganda, February 18, 2026ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga has held a consultative session with key leaders from Siaya County in a move aimed at strengthening party cohesion and preparing for grassroots engagement.
In a statement posted on his Facebook account on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, Oburu disclosed that the meeting brought together a powerful cross-section of Siaya leadership.
“Today I held a consultative session with a powerful cross-section of Siaya leadership,” Oburu stated.
Signalling party unity
The ODM party leader emphasised that the meeting was aimed at presenting a unified and disciplined front as the party prepares for grassroots engagement.
“The party is signalling a unified and disciplined front as it prepares to engage the grassroots,” Oburu stated.
The session was attended by Deputy Governor William Oduol and several legislators from the county.
“Present were, Deputy Governor William Oduol and legislators Christine Ombaka, Elisha Odhiambo, and David Ochieng’,” he said.
ODM rift
The consultative session comes amid ongoing tensions within ODM over its political direction, just days after People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua blamed President William Ruto for the deepening divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement.
Speaking on a local media station on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Karua argued that the cracks within ODM became more pronounced following the death of party leader Raila Odinga, but insisted the roots of the split lay in competing positions on Ruto.
“Blame it on Dr William Ruto. One can see his hand, the shadow of his hand, splitting ODM,” Karua said.
She noted that even before Raila was buried, factions had already emerged within the party, with one side arguing that Baba had left ODM firmly in government and that the party should back Ruto in 2027, while another group, led by Sifuna and others, rejected that position.
“Right from before Baba was buried, there was a section of the party saying that Baba left them firmly in government and that they’ll be supporting William Ruto come 2027,” Karua said.
“Then there was Sifuna and others saying not so. What about the 10-point agenda? They were saying many things,” she added.
According to Karua, the ongoing wrangles are not merely personality clashes but reflect a fundamental disagreement over ODM’s political direction.
“So, this split is about support or not supporting William Ruto,” she said.