ODM rift: Winnie Odinga storms back as Oburu is forced to attend two meetings

 

ODM leader Oburu Oginga and party officials during Kakamega county consultative meeting at Kakamega Golf hotel, on January 18, 2026. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

The first post-Raila Odinga ODM meeting in Kakamega County pulled leaders in two different directions amid internal party wrangles as some members urged Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya to stop dividing the party ahead of talks with UDA.

Internal rivalry within the party deepened during the Kakamega County ODM delegates meeting organised by Governor Fernandes Barasa on Sunday, as a rebel group led by embattled Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera and Oparanya held a different meeting.

Party leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga had to attend both meetings.

Speaking during the meeting organised by Governor Barasa, Senator Oburu urged Oparanya to walk the talk of uniting the county under ODM without causing more divisions.

“The ODM chairman in the county is Barasa. I was invited to pass by and take breakfast in Butere only to find another team of ODM, and I attended because they are still our people,” Oburu said, adding:

“Kakamega is the stronghold of ODM. I have spoken to Barasa and he has no problem. He wants a united Kakamega, but again, I have talked to Oparanya and told him to come personally to this meeting to declare that he wants to unite Kakamega, but he is not around.”

Oburu called for unity within the party, saying it would give the party strength ahead of talks with UDA.

“We cannot allow ourselves to be weak as we head to the negotiations with UDA. Our party must be strong because ODM is the largest party, and it must get its equal share in the negotiations,” Oburu said.

The Siaya senator said that despite being installed as a party leader unexpectedly following the sudden death of his brother, he will soldier on to unite the party and ensure it does not die.

“I was given a mandate as a party leader and I am urging my people to support me to continue being the party leader. I was installed unexpectedly, but I will soldier on to ensure the popularity and strength of the party does not wane,” said Oburu.

 

ODM Kakamega county consultative meeting at Kakamega Golf hotel, on January 18, 2026. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

The delegates meeting endorsed the resolutions by the Central Management Committee that allowed the party to initiate structured talks with UDA for a possible coalition formation with UDA.

Minority Leader in the National Assembly and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed said the party recognises one chairperson in all counties and disgruntled groups should not create confusion.

“The records of the party recognise Barasa as the legitimate chairperson of ODM in Kakamega. We conducted the elections, and we closed that chapter. Anyone with a dispute should follow the right procedures laid out in our party,” Junet said.

Junet maintained that the party will never again allow itself to be used to go to the streets and stay in the opposition.

“We are behind broad-based government and talks with UDA. This time round, we will not allow ourselves to be used by some people to do protests and stay in the opposition. We are going to form the next government, and those who feel uncomfortable with ODM joining the government should look for another thing to do and stop feeling the heat,” said Junet.

Kisii governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati asked Ruto to call Oparanya to order and stop meddling with ODM affairs in Kakamega.

“Barasa is the legitimate county chairperson and that has not changed. I want to tell Oparanya to stop what he is doing. Kakamega must be one, and I want to urge our President Ruto, we know Oparanya is his dog, if he wants to get his second term easily, he should tell Oparanya to stop meddling and planting seeds of discord in OM in the Western region,” said Arati.

Arati said he and his team are talking to those rebelling within the party to prepare to face the NDC where they will get punished.

“ODM is a big party and divergent opinions are allowed. But as we have many children in the party, we are going to talk to those pulling the party back. If they don’t listen, we shall subject them to NDC where they will be placed at their rightful place, because we must be part of the next government as we prepare for talks with UDA who are our like-minded partners,” said Arati.

Homa Bay governor and ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga said the party will factor the needs of Kenyans in the party’s talks with UDA.

“We will not just go to the talks to demand positions. ODM has its principles, and it is a people’s centered party. We will ensure all the needs of our people are factored into the negotiations and pact,” Wanga said, adding:

“Issues like compensation of victims of protests and the ten-point agenda must be implemented, and I want to urge our MPs to go back to Parliament and allocate money for the victims in the supplementary budget.”

Barasa said he is ready to see Kakamega County united under the ODM party, adding that the popularity of the party must be protected ahead of the talks with UDA.

“We are in ODM and so is Kakamega. I am ready to unite Kakamega with Oparanya if he means well,” said Barasa.