ODM MPs ask party leader Oburu to call Junet and Sifuna to order

Seven party legislators led by Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo said that internal divisions have started snowballing after the demise of party founder Raila Odinga and will severely cripple the faction's unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The leaders cited the ongoing tussle between Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and National Assembly Minority leader Junet Mohamed, who have traded accusations over the handling of campaign funds during Odinga’s failed 2022 presidential bid.

"Given the positions of trust bestowed on them, we urge the party officials like Secretary General Senator Edwin Sifuna and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, to desist from public verbal slurs and return to the table for internal discussions," MP Omollo said.

He also highlighted the alleged attack against Embakasi East MP Babu Owino by Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, who allegedly threatened to shoot him.

Owino claimed that Alai accused him of orchestrating social media attacks against his wife.

The party therefore called on Oburu to convene party organs and help resolve the ongoing conflicts to restore the seemingly eroding public trust within the party.

"The current intolerance does not augur well for a revolutionary movement that Rt Hon Raila Odinga founded on the ideals of democracy, free speech and justice," he said.

He further noted that the rifts are costing the party's dominance in some regions as other political parties are occupying positions previously held by ODM members.

Other MPs who signed the agreement include Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), Tom Odege (Nyatike), Catherine Muma, John Ariko (Turkana South), Martin Owino (Ndhiwa), Aduma Owuor (Nyaka) and Catherine Muma (nominated).

The spat witnessed within the party has laid bare the extent of ODM’s internal disarray in the post-Raila era.

Once held together by the towering authority of its founder, the party is now grappling with leadership struggles, unresolved grievances from the 2022 election, and competing power centres that are increasingly comfortable fighting in the open.