Oburu to Winnie: We are not going to expel people from ODM
By Francis Muli, March 27, 2026Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Odinga has promised that he will not kick out rebel members from the party.
Speaking on Friday, March 27, 2026, during the Special Delegates Convention (SDC) at Jamhuri Grounds, the Siaya senator promised to let more members join the party.
Oburu, who was responding to concerns by Winnie Odinga, however, vowed to make sure that the party would not allow chaos within.
“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,” Oburu stated.
“You cannot continue to serve in the position of the party if you continue to oppose the positions taken by the majority. If you’re strong enough, you should convince your colleagues so that you can have the majority in those committees. If you don’t convince them, ni shauri yako. I will not encourage indiscipline in the party because democracy does not mean chaos,” he noted.
Winnie, who has, until recently, affiliated herself with the ODM faction led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, expressed concerns with the way the Orange party is being run.
According to Winnie, the party has been ignoring the voices of its members, including the youth.
“When we talk about the new ODM, we want a party that opens doors, not closes them. We want a leadership that listens to our concerns and acts on our ideas. We want participation as young people that extends beyond rallies. We want to be involved, and our voices should shape decisions and negotiations,” Winnie stated.
Oburu as party leader
Oburu was ratified as the substantive ODM leader at the Jamhuri Grounds, during the party’s National Delegates Conference (NDC)
During the NDC, the delegates also ratified the removal of Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi as the party’s deputy leader.
Also, during the NDC, Kisii County Governor Simba Arati and Mombasa counterpart Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir were elected as the new deputy party leaders.