Vihiga Senator Geoffrey Osotsi has stated that the only way for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to make progress is if the party leader, Oburu Odinga, and Secretary General Edwin Sifuna are the party’s spokespersons.

While speaking in Bondo on Friday, December 26, 2025, the ODM deputy party leader made it clear that the only way for the party to make progress is if the party leader and its secretary-general are the only ones allowed to speak for the party.

He continued to emphasise that the ODM constitution envisages this and called for ODM party members to respect the party constitution.

“Respect our own rules. Allow the ODM party leader and SG Sifuna to speak for us; that is the only time we will make progress!” Osotsi said.

This comes at a time when the ODM party is greatly divided, with two factions pulling in different directions, one supporting the party’s move to enter a partnership with President William Ruto, and the other opposing it.

Wandayi’s view

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, who was in the same service as Osotsi, refuted this.

He stated that under the ODM constitution, Article 16(1)(f), only the party leader is mandated to give direction on the party in terms of coalition building and deciding who to support.

He added that this prerogative cannot be shared with anyone else; it is the party leader alone who can decide the direction the party should take and cannot consult anybody.

“Under Article 16, it gives that authority and mandate solely to the party leader. He’s the one who is supposed to lead the party and his members in negotiations towards forming coalitions.”

“That is his duty, and a purposive interpretation of that clause tells me, as a lawyer, that he does not need to share that mandate with anybody.”

He further explained that after the party leader makes a decision, he is only supposed to notify the National Executive Committee (NEC), which is the highest decision-making organ of the party. After that, party members are expected to follow the direction set by the party.

Sifuna criticising Oburu

Edwin Sifuna recently came out to criticise the party leader, Oburu Odinga, warning him against being misled by a faction of party members into entering a coalition with the president.

He also cautioned him against making unilateral decisions, stating that decisions, especially of this magnitude regarding the party’s direction, can only be made after grassroots consultations and input from delegates, not through a one-man show.

He added that, to his knowledge as ODM secretary-general, the party has not yet determined how it should position itself ahead of 2027.

Oburu’s rebuttal

Oburu Odinga further refuted this, saying that he cannot make unilateral decisions and relies on consultations with party members.

However, he warned against party members and leaders “speaking different languages”, especially after agreeing on a common ground to be followed by the rest of the members.