Oburu Oginga Breaks Silence on Odinga Family Meeting Amid Deepening ODM Rift
Siaya Senator and ODM Party Leader Dr. Oburu Oginga has confirmed convening a crucial family meeting on February 1, 2026, at his Riat home in Kisumu. The gathering aims to address growing tensions within the larger Odinga family, triggered by differing opinions on the future direction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following the passing of former party leader Raila Odinga in October 2025.
Speaking to the press, Dr. Oburu emphasized that such divergences are a natural aspect of political life, particularly among younger family members. He positioned himself as the guiding elder, committed to fostering unity and providing counsel.
Oburu Affirms Role as Family Guide and Mentor
“The internal family conversations are issues which are important to resolve, and I’m equal to the task. I called a meeting on 1st February where we are going to deal with those issues,” Dr. Oburu stated.
He described the younger generation’s differing views as understandable, noting, “Young people sometimes express divergent views. I will talk to them. They have a lot of time; some of us are just holding for them, and we love them. They’re my children, and I cannot utter anything against them. If they want any advice, I’m there for them.”
Warning Against Destructive Criticism and Emphasis on Party Discipline
Dr. Oburu cautioned against public criticism that could harm the party, especially amid ongoing discussions about potential ODM-UDA negotiations. He stressed the importance of internal debate followed by collective discipline.
“People express different opinions as they can’t think the same. What’s important is discipline. Once a decision is made by an organ that includes a member, that member has no right to publicly take an opposing position after participating in that decision,” he noted.
ODM’s Independence and Negotiation Strength
Reaffirming the party’s autonomy, Dr. Oburu highlighted ODM’s leverage through its substantial membership base. The party retains options to govern independently or form coalitions as needed.
“Our strength is in our numbers, and that is what we will use to negotiate,” he remarked.
Dissent from Raila Odinga’s Children Fuels the Rift
The comments follow public expressions of frustration from Raila Odinga’s children, Winnie Odinga and Raila Odinga Jr. They have voiced concerns over attempts to sideline younger voices and exploit their father’s legacy for personal gain.
Winnie recently declared during a public engagement in Kibra: “We will not leave this party that we fought for. We paid the price for this movement when it mattered. You cannot copy and paste Baba. ODM cannot be sold or hijacked. We asked for time after Baba’s passing, but some refused to wait.”
Raila Odinga Jr. echoed the call for tolerance, stating, “Kila mtu ana uhuru wa kuzungumza” (Everyone has the freedom to speak), advocating for open internal debate within ODM.
Alignment with Calls for Leadership Change and NDC
The siblings’ positions appear to align with figures like ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who have pushed for a National Delegates Conference (NDC) to address leadership transitions. This faction advocates for a “younger Joshua” to guide the party forward.
Oburu’s Leadership Stance Ahead of 2027
Despite the challenges, Dr. Oburu has maintained his position as ODM leader and signaled his readiness to serve as the party’s presidential flagbearer in the 2027 elections, should the party pursue the presidency independently or through strategic alliances.
The upcoming family meeting is seen as a pivotal step toward mending rifts and charting a unified path for ODM in the post-Raila era.
Also Read: “Raila Would Be Shocked” — Oburu’s Stunning U-Turn on ODM’s Future With UDA
Oburu Oginga Breaks Silence on Odinga Family Meeting Amid Deepening ODM Rift