Linda ground Vs Linda mwananch: Inside Sifuna-Oburu ODM clashes

ODM leader Oburu Oginga addresses a rally at Tononoka grounds in Mombasa on February 15, 2026. [Omondi Onyango, Standard] The fractures within Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Sunday morphed into a battle for control of the country's most recognisable party as the two factions led separate rallies, both insisting on a rebirth of the party in the build-up to the next General Election. While the embattled Secretary General Edwin Sifuna faction, which has commenced the 'Linda Mwananchi' tour, attended Sunday mass in Kitengela and later led a rally in the satellite town, the other team led by party leader Oburu Oginga and National Chairperson, Gladys Wanga, were in Shalom Miracle Church in Mombasa after which they attended the 'Linda Ground' coast region outreach at Tononoka grounds. Despite being his first rally since the ouster, Sifuna and his team of young politicians brought Kitengela town to a standstill until police dispersed the massive crowd with teargas. Over the years, ODM has been synonymous with crowds wherever it goes, which brings to question who among the current factions bears the ODM spirit after the Tononoka numbers turned out to be a far cry from the surging crowds that would colour the party's events at the historical grounds. Given that the Coast is an ODM stronghold, the crowd was comparatively smaller and it took time for the rally grounds to fill for the Oburu event. Previously, the rallies were characterised by crowds arriving at the venue hours in advance and pushing their way to the podium, even as the leaders insisted that they still had the numbers. Legislators allied to Sifuna have since coined the 'Sisi ndio Sifuna' tagline as a show of solidarity, even as they insisted that the late former ODM leader Raila Odinga's spirit lives in them and they will not be intimidated. It was also song and dance in Kitengela, with the 'bado mapambano' (struggle is still on) song renting the air as the crowd shouted down President William Ruto's administration, saying it should not be re-elected next year. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other ODM leaders during Linda Mwanachi rally in Kitengela town on February 15, 2026. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] Sifuna was accompanied by, among others, Siaya Governor James Orengo, ODM Deputy Party Leader, Godfrey Osotsi and several legislators, including Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba) and Caleb Amisi (Saboti), who has also found himself on the receiving end lately. "They will know today that we are many, they said we cannot go to Kitengela but we are here. Thank you Kitengela. In spite of all the harassment, intimidation and violence from this morning, you showed up. They first destroyed our dais and sound equipment in the morning, and the state goons have now teargassed a peaceful assembly and brought it to an abrupt end. We shall not relent," Sifuna stated. Babu said: "They sent goons but they will not intimidate us. Every day they tell us they do not want demonstrations but what brought multi-partyism, new constitution and Ruto seeking Raila, among others? I want to tell the people in Mombasa, they have the party but we have the members. They are trying to threaten Sifuna, Amisi, Orengo, Osotsi and me but they will not succeed." With Orengo adding, "People who are in Mombasa should return Ruto's money, ODM is in Kitengela. We have agreed to remove Ruto from office." Ososti said there were attempts to block them from holding the rally and their sound system was interfered with but they will not accept any intimidation. "Raila left us with a 10-point agenda; others are trying to sell the party to Ruto, and I want to tell Ruto, if you have given them a deposit, please take it back, ODM is with Sifuna and his team," Osotsi stated. With Amisi stating: "The spirit of Raila is in Kitengela, not Mombasa and we insist that Ruto must go home." Sifuna insisted that he is still the ODM Secretary General and despite the tribulations he has been subjected to, he will stand strong, unbowed and looking towards building on Raila's firm legacy. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other ODM leaders during Linda Mwanachi rally in Kitengela town on February 15, 2026. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] "By your prayers, I stand here today as the ODM Secretary General. We are going through a lot, but through your prayers and preaching held today (Sunday), it has given us new strength and an affirmation that despite attacks, intimidation and plans made against us, God is still our shepherd, and we will not be afraid," he said. Sifuna said they will continue to speak the truth and protect Kenyans from what he described as President Ruto's administration's wrath, corruption, killings and abductions. "Raila used to tell us that when you are a leader, you cannot lead yourself; you must lead people. When you take a single step, you must turn back to see whether the people are still with you and we will stand firm. I'm grateful to all Kenyans because you have shown that even as they attempt to bring me down, you give me comfort that more Sifunas will emerge and continue with the work," he said. In Mombasa, the team insisted that they are not only in charge but also behind Oburu to move the party forward, including participating in negotiations, noting that their strength is renewed and will either be the ruling party or coalition. They said that they will next week hold a rally in Siaya, at the home ground of party leader, Oburu and Orengo, who is in the other camp, even as they insisted that Raila's legacy belongs to all of them and was not assigned to any individual. Busia County MP, Catherine Omanyo, insisted that she is the party's Secretary General and she will undertake that role with honour. Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang noted, "ODM is in Mombasa. Oburu, you require people who are sober and reasonable, and we are saying that those who will lead us into negotiations must prioritise ODM. We must know firsthand what ODM will get. ODM must be in government." Busia Governor Paul Otuoma added that after Raila's passing, the party's top officials convened to discuss how ODM could rise again, agreeing that the party would thrive under Oburu's leadership. "We are on the right track, Oburu is an experienced leader and has offered himself to lead us to the right direction," Otuoma said. Oburu said that there is a concern over the unity of ODM, but they will not allow divisive forces to rule. "What we shall not allow in our party is indiscipline. Parties must have discipline like a club-if you do not follow the rules, you must stay out. But if you follow the rules, you are part and parcel of us. That is why we have our Secretary General, Catherine Omanyo."

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