Osotsi backs Orengo and Nyong’o amid ODM widening rift
By Cynthia Lodite, February 27, 2026Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has backed Siaya Governor James Orengo and Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o, explaining how a select number of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders betrayed the party.
In a post on his official X account on Friday, February 27, 2026, Osotsi, while backing up the two ODM governors, said that the people who went to government from ODM went individually.
Further adding that they betrayed the spirit of the party, hence calling on the two leaders, who are senior party figures and long-time allies of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga, to step up and guide the party back to its core values and aspirations.
“The people who went to government from ODM went individually, and they have betrayed the spirit of the party -Jimmy Orengo. That is the truth. That’s why @TheODMparty needs thinkers like @orengo_james and @AnyangNyongo to guide the party back to its core values and aspirations,” Osotsi said.
Orengo’s remarks on ODM leadership
Osoti’s remarks come days after the Siaya Governor declared that he will henceforth take political direction on party matters from ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
At the time, Orengo expressed confidence that a growing political wave within the Orange Democratic Movement would spread across the country.
Speaking during a rally in Kakamega, Orengo said unity and discipline within the party leadership would be key as ODM positions itself for future political contests.
“Mambo ya chama mimi nitamsikiza tu Edwin Sifuna,” Orengo told the crowd. Na mimi nasema hapa leo Kakamega hili vuguvugu nimeona leo litaenda Kenya yote,” he said.
His remarks came even as ODM party leader Oburu Oginga leads a parallel faction within the camp.
Oburu has declared that he would support UDA in the run-up to 2027, something the Orengo faction has rejected.
Sifuna’s removal plan
Meanwhile, Osotsi recently came out saying that the decision to remove Nairobi Senator as ODM party secretary general was made at President William Ruto’s home in Kiligoris on December 27, 2025.
Speaking during an interview with political analyst Herman Manyora, the ODM Deputy Party Leader stated that the meeting was attended by all National Executive Committee (NEC) members except him and Sifuna.
According to Osotsi, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed had confided in him that the president himself stated that he did not want Sifuna and Osotsi to attend the high-level Kiligoris meeting, which has been the talk of the town within political circles for the past few months.
“There is this meeting that was held on December 27, 2025, at Kiligoris, home of President William Ruto,” Osotsi stated.