The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Oburu Oginga, has dismissed remarks by Siaya Governor James Orengo, who claimed that Oburu, who succeeded his late brother Raila Odinga, is unfit to lead the party and instead declared himself the rightful party boss.

Oburu insists he was duly elected by ODM members, maintaining that his mandate is legitimate and binding.

He made it clear that he will not resign, bow to pressure, or be intimidated by any individual or faction within the party.

As differences within ODM continue to escalate, rival factions aligned to Linda Mwananchi and Linda Ground become increasingly locked in a fierce power struggle over control of the party.

Governor Orengo openly declared himself the party leader, heavily criticising the leadership of Oburu. But Oburu has firmly pushed back.

“I don’t care whether somebody goes and declares himself party leader; you can be a party leader of the trees, you can be a party leader of the birds, but you’re certainly not the party leader of ODM,” Oburu said on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Siaya county.

Speaking amid growing tensions within the party in Kisumu on April 24th, Orengo claimed ODM was at risk of being “sold to political enemies”, warning that he would spearhead an internal push to safeguard its legacy and influence.

“I am the people’s party leader because ODM is being sold to our political enemies. We must ensure that ODM remains strong, independent, and true to its founding ideals,” Orengo said.

Orengo emphasised that his stance was aimed at protecting the political legacy of Raila Odinga and ensuring that the party’s achievements are not eroded or diluted by internal divisions or external influence.

“We must make sure that the legacy and achievements of Raila are not destroyed and that the reach of ODM is not diminished,” he said.

He further insisted that ODM, as one of Kenya’s largest political parties, should not be relegated to a subordinate role in any political arrangement.

“ODM cannot become a junior partner to a party that needed ODM. It is not ODM that needed the union; we must remain the dominant party,” Orengo added.

ODM wrangles

As the internal wrangles intensify, Oburu has also turned his fire on the embattled ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, accusing him of defying party structures in an attempt to cling to office, insisting that the era of indiscipline and political blackmail is over.

“You have no right to come out yourself and start opposing the same resolutions which were passed in your presence and which you have yourself come out as the SG of the party and read out to people,” he said.

“Sifuna has refused to follow party channels to defend his position. How can he still claim that office? Is that possible?”

Despite rising tensions within ODM and its cooperation with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), leaders are downplaying talk of a fallout, insisting the broad-based alliance remains stable and intact.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said, “Those who think the ODM–UDA union will collapse are dreaming. So long as we’re still there, ODM and UDA will work together up to 2027 and beyond.”