By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 16 May 2026 - ODM has intensified efforts to consolidate its grassroots networks and tighten internal unity as the party positions itself for the 2027 General Election, with senior leaders urging discipline, cohesion and structured mobilisation in a high-stakes meeting in Nyakach, Kisumu County.
The gathering brought together delegates and party organisers under the leadership of ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga Odinga and national chairperson Gladys Wanga, in what was widely viewed as part of a broader organisational reset ahead of the party’s National Delegates Conference.
The tone of the meeting was firm and strategic. Party leaders framed the moment as a critical phase of consolidation, warning that internal divisions and weak grassroots coordination could undermine ODM’s long-term electoral competitiveness.
Dr Oburu seized and used the platform to issue a direct call for unity, cautioning against factionalism and complacency within the party structures. “ODM must remain united. Without unity, we lose strength and direction,” he told delegates.
He quipped:“Our focus is to strengthen our grassroots structures so that the party remains firmly rooted among the people.”
His remarks reflected growing urgency within ODM leadership circles as Kenya’s political environment becomes increasingly fluid, with shifting alliances and early positioning for 2027 already underway. Oburu’s message was aimed at reinforcing internal discipline and reaffirming the party’s reliance on its traditional support base.
He emphasised that ODM’s strength has historically been anchored in its grassroots presence, adding that the party must now deepen that network rather than allow it to weaken.
Delegates were urged to prioritise mobilisation at the lowest levels of political organisation, including polling stations and wards, as the foundation of electoral success.
Wanga, who is the ODM chairperson and Homa Bay Governor, echoed the call for unity, but placed stronger emphasis on organisational restructuring and mobilisation efficiency.
She said ODM was actively strengthening its internal systems rather than allowing fragmentation.
“ODM is not divided. ODM is organising and strengthening every branch and every structure across the country,” Wanga said.
She asserted:“We must remain focused and work for the common good of all Kenyans by staying close to the people and reinforcing our grassroots presence.”
Her remarks underscored a central theme emerging from ODM leadership: that the party’s survival and relevance in the next electoral cycle will depend on disciplined organisation rather than historical political loyalty alone.
Wanga further urged party officials and delegates to maintain consistency in engagement with supporters, warning that political disengagement at the grassroots level could weaken the party’s mobilisation capacity ahead of 2027.
Her message pointed to a renewed focus on structure, communication and coordination within ODM’s expansive political network.
The Nyakach meeting itself carried both strategic and symbolic significance.
The region remains a key political base for ODM in western Kenya and has historically played an important role in the party’s electoral performance.
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However, shifting voter dynamics and emerging political alliances have increased pressure on the party to reinforce its presence even in strongholds.
Political analyst Ben Nyakinya, says ODM’s renewed emphasis on grassroots consolidation reflects a broader recognition that Kenya’s future elections will be determined not only by elite coalitions but also by highly organised local mobilisation structures.
The meeting also comes at a time when opposition politics in Kenya is undergoing gradual realignment, with parties seeking to strengthen internal cohesion while assessing potential coalition arrangements ahead of 2027.
ODM, in particular, has sought to project an image of stability and organisational readiness amid speculation about internal positioning and future leadership dynamics.
The forthcoming National Delegates Conference is expected to play a central role in defining the party’s direction, including its organisational structure and strategic priorities. Party insiders suggest the focus will be on strengthening county and ward-level branches, improving coordination, and enhancing mobilisation efficiency.
Within this context, the Nyakach meeting functioned as both a mobilisation exercise and a message of reassurance to party supporters that ODM remains united and focused on long-term objectives.
Dr Oburu’s emphasis on unity and Wanga’s focus on structural strengthening converged into a clear political message: ODM is seeking to avoid internal fragmentation while simultaneously preparing for an increasingly competitive electoral landscape.
“Unity is not optional. It is essential,” Oburu implied through his remarks, while Wanga reinforced the operational dimension of that unity by stressing organisation and discipline at all levels of the party.
As the political tempo in the country rises, ODM’s leadership appears intent on closing ranks early, reinforcing its grassroots machinery and presenting itself as a disciplined political force capable of competing effectively in 2027.
Several MCAs and area MP Aduma Owuor, were present plus various wards, Parliament and governor aspirants in 2027.
In Kisumu Dr Mathews Owili, the Deputy governor, Dr Joshua Oron, Kisumu Central MP, Aduma and Woman Rep Ruth Odinga and Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda are eyeing to succeed Prof Anyang' Nyong'o as the governor when his consolidated 10-year term in office ends in August 2027.
They vowed to unite the party members at the grassroots and market ODM philosophies championed by Dr Oburu and Wanga in their Linda Ground movement. Ruth has been pushing for unity of the two ODM factions Linda mwananchi and Ground pitting ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and her elder brother side Linda ground led by Dr Oburu. The efforts are yet to pay off.
Some forces in either camp are still cagey to fold into one and are playing the hard ball even as time fizzles ahead of 2027 when internal rivalries and dynamics still threaten ODM party cohesiveness. But Oburu and Wanga wants one ODM and are whipping delegates on the ground not to be swayed parallel to the goal. They told delegates in Nyakach to remain steadfast in ODM.
For now, the Nyakach meeting signals a clear direction of travel for the party: consolidate internally, mobilise externally, and maintain unity as the defining principle of its political strategy going forward.