Political Firestorm Erupts as State House Slap Intensifies ODM Internal Power Struggles

Published 2 hours ago2 minute read
Pelumi Ilesanmi
Pelumi Ilesanmi
Political Firestorm Erupts as State House Slap Intensifies ODM Internal Power Struggles

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party is currently embroiled in significant internal bickering and squabbling, primarily centered around its potential cooperation with President William Ruto and his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party. This internal strife has exposed deep divisions within the party, particularly during a critical transition period following the demise of its long-standing leader, Raila Odinga.

Suna East Member of Parliament, Junet Mohamed, who has openly supported the party's engagement in a broad-based government with President Ruto, finds himself under siege. His stance on cooperation has put him at loggerheads with a faction within the ODM party that is vehemently opposed to such an alliance, highlighting the contentious nature of the issue.

Adding to the internal turmoil, Makadara MP George Aladwa has vocally dismissed meetings convened by an ODM camp allied to the party's secretary general, Edwin Sifuna, and Siaya Governor, James Orengo. Aladwa accused these leaders of attempting to "auction" the party to the opposition and destabilize its unity. He specifically warned that holding unsanctioned meetings to chart ODM’s political path, especially at parallel forums, risks undermining the party at a moment when it is preparing for crucial coalition talks, including the controversial broad-based arrangement with UDA.

Aladwa strongly insisted that official ODM issues must be discussed strictly through established party structures, preferably at the grassroots level, rather than in informal settings like hotels or funerals. He criticized leaders who position themselves to speak on behalf of the party without adhering to proper party frameworks, asserting that such actions demonstrate a clear undermining of internal discipline.

In response to the confusion, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga has been endorsed by the party’s governing body to steer ODM’s affairs during this sensitive transition. Oburu Oginga has come forward to clarify the party's position on engaging President Ruto's administration. He dismissed claims of backdoor arrangements, stating unequivocally that he has chaired all meetings related to the broad-based engagements with President Ruto. Oginga emphasized that the ODM party would only enter into government or electoral pacts through structured, transparent, and formally sanctioned negotiations, reinforcing the need for adherence to party protocols.

The ongoing wrangles have left the ODM party sharply divided, with some leaders advocating for dialogue to stabilize the party, while others maintain that only formal structures should guide negotiations and public positions. The central dispute remains how ODM should engage President Ruto’s administration and whether discussions should be led collectively through authorized party organs or by individual factions, a situation that continues to test the party's cohesion.

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