ODM in Crisis as Powerful Party Wing Makes Shock 2027 Demand
Fresh ideological divisions have emerged within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after the party’s powerful grassroots leaders issued new demands ahead of the 2027 General Election, raising questions about the party’s future direction.
The Council of County Coordinating Chairs (CoCC) has now openly pushed for ODM to field its own presidential candidate, signalling growing unease within the party ranks over its current political positioning and alliances.
Speaking on Thursday, January 15, 2025, the council’s leadership — chaired by Zebedee Osabwa, alongside Secretary Dickson Imanyara and Ann Chepkwony — said the resolution was reached following extensive nationwide consultations.
According to the group, the move is aimed at safeguarding ODM’s identity as an independent political force amid fears that recent political arrangements could dilute the party’s influence ahead of the next election cycle.
“As the ODM party, we will identify presidential material who will lead us in spearheading the process of deciding our presidential candidate for the party. That is the resolution passed by this council of chairs,” Osabwa stated.
The council further resolved that ODM must field candidates across all elective positions, a decision they said had already been ratified by the party’s nationwide chairpersons’ council.
UDA Deal Under Scrutiny
Beyond the presidential question, the county chairs also turned their attention to ODM’s cooperation agreement with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
They demanded a comprehensive status report from the party’s Secretary General on the implementation of the Ten-Point Agenda signed between ODM and UDA, warning that no further political agreements should be entered into until the current commitments are fully honoured.
The demand reflects growing internal pressure on ODM’s top leadership to account for the practical outcomes of its engagement with President William Ruto’s administration.
Frustration with Party Leadership
The council also expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as increasing marginalisation by ODM’s steering committee, accusing it of sidelining grassroots leaders in key decision-making processes.
Osabwa lamented what he termed a departure from the party’s long-standing culture of consultation.
“There has not been a single time when Raila ever took a decision without consulting us as the chairs, but now we have seen meetings being convened without even calling the county chairs or consulting us,” he said.
The remarks appear to reference ODM leader Raila Odinga, whose leadership style has traditionally emphasised broad consultation within party structures.
‘We Are the Backbone of ODM’
Reinforcing their position, the county chairs underscored their central role in building and sustaining ODM’s grassroots network across the country.
“We are the ones who built the party from the grassroots — from polling station to branch and county level. We are the foundation and must be respected as we deserve,” Osabwa added.
The latest developments expose simmering tensions within ODM as the party begins positioning itself for 2027, with questions now emerging over unity, leadership consultation, and whether ODM will chart an independent path or continue working within broader political coalitions.
Also Read: KeNHA Announces 3 Days Closure of Section of Uhuru Highway, Gives Motorists Alternative
ODM in Crisis as Powerful Party Wing Makes Shock 2027 Demand