Oburu: I will not encourage indiscipline in ODM
By Faith Lagat, March 27, 2026Oburu Oginga, the newly ratified leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has delivered a firm message against indiscipline and internal chaos during the party’s Special Delegates Convention (SDC) at Jamhuri Grounds on Friday, March 27, 2026.
Speaking shortly after party delegates formally endorsed him as the substantive party leader following the passing of veteran opposition icon Raila Odinga in October 2025, Oburu vowed that ODM would not tolerate actions that undermine its democratic structures.
“I will not encourage indiscipline in the party because democracy does not mean chaos,” he declared.
Oburu pushed back strongly against claims that the party had been “bought” or compromised.
“Those people who are saying ODM has been bought, how can ODM be bought? At my age, can somebody buy me and how much?” he posed rhetorically, drawing applause from delegates.
Unity and accountability
The convention, held under the theme of consolidation and renewal, comes at a critical moment for ODM as it navigates leadership transition and lingering internal divisions. Oburu emphasised unity as a core value while insisting the party must remain anchored in democratic principles.
“We are going to continue with that principle of give and take and negotiations. We are not going to be stiff,” he said.
He specifically addressed his daughter, EALA MP Winnie Odinga, assuring her: “I want to tell my daughter here, Winnie, that we are not going to expel people. We are not going to be a party of expelling people. We are going to be a party of including people and asking them to come in.”
Oburu drew a clear line between inclusion and accountability, stressing that ODM, as a democratic party, has established structures where decisions are made collectively.
“One of the cardinal principles of democracy is that the minority will have its say and the majority will have its way. That is how democracy works. Democracy does not mean chaos,” he reiterated.
Party reforms
Oburu also warned against leaders who publicly attack decisions passed by party organs.
While responding to Winnie Odinga, who had expressed concerns that the party has been ignoring the voices of its members, particularly the youth, Oburu noted that ODM would continue to uphold democratic principles and allow for inclusive participation.
“I want to tell my daughter here, Winnie, that we are not going to expel people. We’re going to be a party of including people and asking them to come in. But we’re also going to maintain democratic principles because we’re a democratic party that has structures. Democracy does not mean chaos,” he stated, emphasising that dissenting voices should work within party structures to influence decisions rather than opposing majority positions publicly.
The convention also ratified other leaders, including Governors Simba Arati and Abdulswamad Nassir as deputy party leaders, as ODM seeks to heal divisions and project a united front ahead of future political contests.