By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 14 May 2026 - Political temperatures within Kenya’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have risen sharply after a public disagreement between Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury John Mbadi and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga over the future of internal party groupings and emerging factional alignments.
At the centre of the dispute is the proposed consolidation of dissenting ODM-aligned factions into a single political outfit known as “Linda Kenya”, a movement associated with Kisumu Woman Rep Ruth Odinga and ilk as a neutral arbiters.
The initiative has, however, exposed widening cracks within the party, with competing blocs trading accusations of undermining ODM’s founding ideals.
Ruth has publicly pushed for the unification of what she describes as fragmented ODM-aligned groups, arguing that cohesion is necessary ahead of future political realignments.
“We must bring together all ODM-leaning formations into one strong outfit under Linda Kenya,” she said, framing the proposal as a strategy for consolidation rather than division.
But CS Treasury Mr.John Mbadi has strongly rejected the framing, accusing proponents of the initiative of advancing what he termed a “diabolical agenda” that threatens the ideological direction of ODM.
“What is being promoted is not unity but a carefully packaged agenda that goes against the party’s core ideals,” Mbadi said, warning that internal reorganisation efforts risk destabilising ODM’s internal structures.
The dispute has drawn in other senior party voices, including ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, who is reported to be aligned with a bloc resisting the restructuring push.
His camp has been accused by Linda mwanchii supporters of opposing reform efforts within the party.
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Dr Oburu Oginga, who is widely seen as a key figure behind the Linda Ground mobilisation, has maintained that the movement is intended to strengthen grassroots coordination rather than fracture ODM. He wants all in Linda Ground movement.
In a statement echoing his allies, he said: “Linda Ground is about strengthening our base and ensuring unity at the ground level, not creating confusion within the party.”
However, critics within ODM argue that the emergence of competing internal formations risks creating parallel power centres at a time when the party is still navigating post-election recalibration and succession debates.
Analysts say the row reflects deeper strategic disagreements over ODM’s long-term direction, particularly as senior figures position themselves ahead of future electoral cycles.
While one camp is pushing for consolidation under new structures such as Linda Kenya, another insists that the party must avoid splintering into semi-autonomous factions that could weaken its national appeal. Instead fold to Dr Oburu allied faction.
For now, the two sides appear firmly entrenched, with little indication of compromise.
The exchanges between Mbadi and Ruth Odinga underscore a broader contest for influence within ODM’s evolving internal landscape—one that could shape the party’s cohesion in the coming months.