By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 15 December 2025 - The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has moved swiftly to quash rumors of internal fractures, presenting a united front ahead of the 2027 general election.
The party’s leadership, during a regional tour in the North Rift, emphasised cohesion, discipline, and continued engagement with grassroots structures as key to maintaining its dominant position in Kenyan politics.
ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga dismissed claims of disunity, asserting that the party remains “intact and united.”
He framed the reports of internal divisions as exaggerated, reiterating the party’s focus on consolidating support and advancing its political agenda.
And emphasising unity, Odinga signals a determination to control the narrative and prevent speculation from undermining the party’s electoral preparations.
Supporting this message, Kisii Governor Simba Arati described differing opinions within the party as a natural manifestation of democracy rather than a sign of disunity.
Arati noted that healthy debate is part of a functioning political party, suggesting that open discourse can coexist with overall cohesion.
He further dismissed suggestions that ODM might move into opposition, affirming that the party intends to remain in government alongside like-minded leaders and will outline its political strategy early next year.
The tour, which included engagements in Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu counties, has provided an opportunity for ODM to project stability across regions beyond its Nyanza stronghold.
Leaders emphasized cooperation with local county administrations, portraying a party that is actively embedding itself in governance structures and regional development initiatives.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga reinforced this approach, urging grassroots leaders to focus on unity and not be swayed by minor disagreements.
“Unity must start from the grassroots,” Wanga said, highlighting the party’s strategy of consolidating its base to avoid fragmentation at a local level.
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These assertions of cohesion come in the wake of remarks by Winnie Odinga, who has called for ODM to field its own presidential candidate in 2027. Winnie’s comments implicitly counter speculation that the party might join the Kenya Kwanza coalition for the next presidential race.
And by publicly asserting the need for an independent candidacy, the statement reinforces ODM’s intention to remain a major political force with a national footprint, while signaling that internal debates over coalition alignments are being actively managed within party structures.
The narrative presented by ODM leadership appears strategic, seeking to balance acknowledgment of internal debate with strong messaging of unity.
Analysts suggest that managing the optics of internal disagreement is particularly important for ODM at this stage, as the party prepares to navigate a competitive political landscape where both ruling and opposition blocs are vying for influence ahead of 2027.
Moreover, the focus on regional tours and grassroots engagement underscores a recognition that political strength in Kenya is deeply tied to local networks and county-level influence.
In actively involving governors and county leaders in these engagements, ODM is projecting both governance competence and organisational coherence, which could translate into enhanced voter confidence in the party’s capacity to deliver at both national and local levels.
The leadership’s repeated emphasis on collaboration, unity, and political direction indicates that ODM is keen to mitigate any perceptions of fragmentation.
In doing so, the party is also signaling to its supporters and potential rivals that it remains a formidable player with the discipline and internal mechanisms to manage differences of opinion without allowing them to evolve into open conflict.
As the 2027 election approaches, ODM’s public messaging on unity, coupled with calls for a homegrown presidential candidate, positions the party to consolidate its traditional base while appealing to undecided voters.
Maintaining a narrative of internal cohesion, managing debates on candidate selection, and strengthening grassroots networks will be critical for ODM as it seeks to sustain its influence and electoral competitiveness in the evolving political landscape of Kenya.
