Siaya Governor James Orengo has defended his dedication to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), stating that the party’s strength lies in its unity and its commitment to the common citizen.

Speaking in an interview with K24 TV on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Orengo stated that the primary objective for the leadership at this time is to ensure ODM remains a single, cohesive entity.

According to Orengo, the party’s direction must be dictated by a pro-people agenda rather than serving to protect the status quo.

“For now, our commitment is to make sure that ODM is one party and it is driven by a pro-people agenda, not support for status quo,” Orengo said.

Difficult choices to make

He acknowledged that the party may eventually face difficult choices, noting that any such decisions are for the future. For the present, he insisted that the focus must remain on the party’s founding principles of representing the people’s interests.

Orengo referred to a statement by Edwin Sifuna at the burial of the late former party leader Raila Odinga, saying that he (Sifuna) will not destroy Raila’s party.

“There is a statement that Sifuna made during the burial of Raila Odinga that he is not going to be part of those breaking or destroying Raila’s party, and I have also made similar statements. Until the country is persuaded that there are some legal barriers to ensure that we continue to fight within ODM, and when we reach there, then we may be forced to make the decision,” Orengo stated while answering a question about whether they are forming a party as Linda Mwananchi.

Call for ODM unity

This comes even as Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has called for urgent reconciliation within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, warning that ongoing internal divisions could weaken its political strength ahead of future elections.

Speaking on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Ridore village, Seme Sub-county, in Kisumu County, during the burial of Mzee Nyikal Okaka, the father of Seme Member of Parliament (MP) James Nyikal, Ruth dismissed the emerging “Wantam” and “Tutam” camps within ODM, instead positioning herself firmly in what she described as the ideological path of her late brother Raila Odinga.

“We have been told not to say wantam or tutam, but I want to make it clear that for me, I am not in either wantam or tutam. I am in what we call Tam Raila Amollo Odinga,” she said.

“Raila Odinga led us with a legacy, and if we want to be good people, we should come together, the wantamers and tutamers. We must build one ODM,” she stated.