Osotsi claims Oburu, Junet dodged ODM unity meeting amid party chaos
By Luke Oluoch, January 19, 2026Orange Democratic Movement Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi has shed more light on the deepening rift within the ODM party with a damning new revelation.
In an interview with a local TV station on Monday, January 19, 2026, the Vihiga Senator alluded to the scope and scale of the divisions within the party.
Osotsi exposed the new party leader, Oburu Oginga, and Junet Mohamed for skipping a planned reconciliation meeting scheduled before the party’s Central Management Committee (CMC) meeting in Kilifi on Monday, January 12, 2026.
According to the Deputy Party Leader (DPL), the meeting had been planned in line with Mama Ida Odinga’s advisory to iron out differences between the two officials, who have been at loggerheads.
However, Secretary General Edwin Sifuna turned up for the meeting alone, with Junet and Oburu giving it a wide berth.
“I am aware there was supposed to be a meeting on the eve of the CMC meeting before the Kilifi gathering. The meeting was meant to iron out issues and differences as part of Mama Ida’s advice,” Osotsi stated.
“Sifuna appeared for the meeting, but the other two leaders did not show up—only to turn out for the CMC meeting in Kilifi with some declarations,” he added.
Osotsi also faulted the conduct of recent meetings in Western Kenya, where ODM has stepped up its “Linda Ground” campaigns. According to him, the plans and activities, including the widely endorsed structured task resolutions arising from the CCM’s meeting, being undertaken by the party, have failed to involve all key party organs.
He described the rallies as being organised and executed in haste, without consensus from the party leadership or structures.
Coalition-making not a priority
Osotsi also criticised the chaos that took centre stage in ODM’s recent engagements in Kakamega. The meeting lent further credence to the disarray within the party, with Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya holding separate events simultaneously.
“I come from Western [Kenya]. There have been meetings in Busia and Kakamega. No one informed me about them, and I think it is not healthy for the party. These activities are being done in haste. Our priority is the Ten-Point Agenda—the most important issues that Raila left us with, and not coalition-making,” he declared.
This revelation comes amid ongoing tensions in ODM following the death of founding leader Raila Odinga, with factions divided over leadership direction, grassroots engagement, and potential pre-election coalitions.
Oburu has, however, downplayed the ongoing rifts. underscoring his readiness to spearhead the reconciliation efforts within the party.