Oburu: ODM is neither in wantam nor tutam bandwagons
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 20, 2026Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Odinga has stated that the party is neither in the “wantam” nor “tutam” movement.
Speaking at the Siaya County Assembly on Friday, February 20, 2026, ahead of the Linda Ground forum scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026, which will also serve as his homecoming ceremony following his appointment as party leader, Oburu said ODM is currently focused on strengthening itself ahead of the 2027 general election.
“We are not on the side of Wantam nor Tutam; we are on the side of strengthening the party so that the ODM party goes to the negotiating table with strong numbers,” Oburu stated.
He further stated that the party’s priority is to solidify its structures to enhance its bargaining power in the proposed talks with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a proposal that originated from the party’s Central Management Committee (CMC).
According to Oburu, despite the party having begun structured talks with UDA, it doesn’t mean that they subscribe to the tutam narrative.
Oburu added that, as party leader, he will lead ODM in the negotiations with the ruling party. He maintained that he will be firm during the talks and will ensure that ODM settles for nothing less than a deputy president slot.
Ruth Odinga’s rebuttal
His remarks come days after Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga expressed dissatisfaction with how ODM was conducting itself in its preparations for the 2027 elections.
She criticised the party’s move to enter into a coalition pact with UDA, questioning the urgency of forming alliances instead of first strengthening internal party structures, which, according to her, could have given the party a better bargaining point.
Meanwhile, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and other leaders aligned with him have declared that they are in the “wantam” movement, a slogan used by the opposition to suggest that the current regime should serve only one term.
Linda ground/Mwanachi factions
Sifuna has also repeatedly stated that if ODM moves to support President William Ruto for a second term, he will walk out of the party.
This has deepened divisions within ODM, with one faction led by Sifuna dubbed Linda Mwanachi and the other by Oburu Odinga called Linda Ground, which is in support of Ruto’s reelection.
Leaders such as Siaya Governor James Orengo have also backed Senator Sifuna in opposing any coalition agreement between ODM and UDA.