Siaya Governor James Orengo has declared that late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga remains firmly associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement.

Addressing supporters during a Linda Mwananchi rally on Saturday, July 18, 2026, Orengo said despite deepening divisions within ODM over the party’s future and recent leadership changes, Raila’s spirits still stay with their faction.

“Nataka kutangaza yakwamba ukikuja kwa mkutano wa Linda Mwananchi ujue yakwamba Raila yuko hapa,” Orengo said.

Linda Mwananchi recent power struggle

The remarks come as the Linda Mwananchi brigade continues to position itself as the custodian of the ideals that have long defined ODM, amid an escalating power struggle between leaders backing the broad-based government arrangement and those insisting the party should remain a strong opposition force.

The latest flashpoint in the wrangles was the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as Senate Deputy Minority Whip, with Migori Senator Eddy Oketch taking over the position.

The move followed Sifuna’s earlier removal as ODM Secretary-General, further weakening one of the most outspoken critics of President William Ruto’s administration within the party.

Leaders allied to the Linda Mwananchi brigade have condemned Sifuna’s removal, describing it as a politically motivated attempt to silence dissent and weaken the opposition.

They have also questioned the process that led to the leadership changes, arguing that it undermines parliamentary independence and the autonomy of the minority side in the Senate.

The developments have exposed widening cracks within ODM, with the Linda Mwananchi faction accusing sections of the party leadership of abandoning the opposition’s oversight role through cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The faction insists it is fighting to preserve Raila’s long-standing ideals of social justice, constitutionalism and accountability rather than break away from ODM.

ODM current state

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi has launched a blistering attack on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), declaring the party “dead” and claiming President William Ruto has effectively taken over its leadership following the party’s cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Speaking during the Linda Mwananchi political tour in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, Omondi urged disgruntled ODM supporters to abandon the party and instead join the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has emerged as a vocal critic of the broad-based government.

“ODM imekufa. ODM imenunuliwa na Ruto. Kama wewe ulikuwa wa ODM, vuka uingie Linda Mwananchi,” Omondi told supporters.

He went on to claim that the party had lost its identity, claiming its leadership had effectively shifted to President Ruto.

“Wale wa linda tumbo wamechanganyikiwa, huwezi jua kiongozi wa ODM ni nani. Party leader wa ODM sasa ni Ruto,” he said.