‘You can be party leader of the birds!’ Oburu tells off Orengo over ODM leadership claims

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga has dismissed remarks by Siaya Governor James Orengo, who claimed that Oburu who succeeded his late brother Raila Odinga is unfit to lead the party, and instead declared himself the rightful party boss.

Oburu insists he was duly elected by ODM members, maintaining that his mandate is legitimate and binding.

He made it clear that he will not resign, bow to pressure, or be intimidated by any individual or faction within the party.

This as differences within ODM continue to escalate, as rival factions aligned to Linda Mwananchi and Linda Ground become increasingly locked in a fierce power struggle over control of the party.

Governor Orengo openly declared himself the party leader, sharply criticizing the leadership of Dr. Oburu. But Dr. Oburu has firmly pushed back.

“I don’t care whether somebody goes and declares himself party leader…you can be a party leader of the trees… you can be a party leader of the birds…but you’re certainly not the party leader of ODM,” said Oburu.

As the internal wrangles intensify, Oburu has also turned his fire on ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, accusing him of defying party structures in an attempt to cling to office, insisting that the era of indiscipline and political blackmail is over.

“You have not right to come out yourself and start opposing the same resolutions which are passed in your presence…and which you have yourself come out as the SG of the party and read out to people,” he said.

“Sifuna has refused to follow party channels to defend his position. How can he still claim that office? Is that possible?”

Despite rising tensions within ODM and its cooperation with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), leaders are downplaying talk of a fallout, insisting the broad-based alliance remains stable and intact.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said: “Those who think the ODM–UDA union will collapse are dreaming. So long as we’re still there, ODM and UDA will work together upto 2027 and beyond.”

Elsewhere in Kakamega County, leaders from Western Kenya have issued a stern warning to the Linda Ground faction, accusing it of sidelining regional voices and threatening to withdraw support if they are excluded from key leadership decisions.

Cooperatives & MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya said: “This time, don’t take us for granted. Raila respected us…those now in leadership must do the same, or we say goodbye.”