Is ODM sliding into a contest of power and prestige? Inside party’s parallel rallies
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, March 29, 2026Silently but surely, a struggle is emerging in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), one that is beginning to resemble more and more a battle not only over the ideological succession but also visibility, power and command over the party’s grassroots network.
In the middle of this developing drama is the face of the Linda Mwananchi faction, the face of the group that seems to be bent on attacking the mainstream leadership of the party at its very heart.
What is interesting, however, about the situation is not only the fact that there was internal dissent (that is not new in political parties) but how it is being done in such a calculated way.
The Linda Mwananchi group has been involved in numerous occasions where they hold parallel events either as reflections or a direct rivalry to official ODM operations. This trend has prompted a primaeval question: is it still inside democracy, or is it a calculated battle to outshine and outsmart the set-up leadership of the party?
Trend of simultaneous organisation
The rifts in ODM have lately been pronounced whenever important party instances arise. When the party held its National Delegates Convention at Jamhuri Grounds, Nairobi, where Senator Oburu Odinga was reelected as party leader, and the party leadership changes were ratified, the Linda Mwananchi wing of the party was holding a parallel meeting at Ufungamano House.
It could hardly be overlooked that symbolism played a part: two centres of power, two narratives, one party.
In another instance, Sifuna headed a spirited Linda Mwananchi rally at the Tononoka Grounds. There, he publicly challenged those in power to break up the meeting and cast a halo of defiance and position his faction as the more militant, people-centred wing of the party.
These similar occurrences are not coincidental. They tell of a planned approach, that of trying to show that the Linda Mwananchi faction has its own following, which does not depend upon the actual machinery of the party.
Defence of strength or living?
On the surface, the case might seem a simple power game. However, under it, there is more subtle gameplay. In the case of the ODM leadership, the need to retain power and unity is paramount, particularly in a political environment where party cohesion is very likely to be the defining feature regarding electoral power. To Sifuna and his supporters, the parallel mobilisations might not have been rebellious but relevant.
It is a kind of message being sent by organising rival events, with the message being that there is no way we can ignore, relegate or punish the Linda Mwananchi faction easily. It is a display of power, yes, but it is also an insurance against political loneliness.
The Sifuna factor: Disobeying with impunity?
And possibly the most eloquent feature of this in-house rivalry is that Sifuna still occupies the most influential post of secretary general. He has not been officially expelled in spite of the open alignment with an opposing camp, as well as his stinging commentary on the party line.
This poses serious questions. Is the ODM leadership being restrained so as not to intensify divisions? Or is there an internal balance of power that puts the removal of Sifuna at a politically high cost?
What next for ODM?
The battle between the official ODM leadership and Linda Mwananchi is one that is not likely to subside in the near future. Quite on the contrary, it might be exacerbated since each of the two sides aims at building a stronger base before the next political elections.
The question is, will this competition develop into the kind of internal restructuring that will be constructive or work out to an actual split?
To date, it is only clear that it is not merely a disagreement. It is a calculated battle of strength, image and political survival. And so long as parallel rallies are part of the calendar of the party, the image of a divided house will not be easily shaken.