Africa-Press – Kenya. ODM is emerging as the latest battleground in shifting political realignments following Raila Odinga’s exit from frontline politics, with supporters of the broad-based government accusing retired President Uhuru Kenyatta of interference.
At the same time, United Opposition leaders have stepped up efforts to draw ODM back into an anti-government coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The broad-based government proponents in ODM accuse Uhuru, a key architect of the Azimio coalition, of quietly encouraging a section of the party to drift towards the opposition.
They argue that the move undermines ODM’s current cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration.
Suna East MP and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed spearheaded this sentiment.
In a veiled salvo directed at Uhuru, Junet said in a tweet that there was no implosion in ODM and that “the earlier this sinks in to the mind of the Gatundu newspaper owner, the better”.
Junet was reacting to a headline in the People Daily that reported an implosion in the party.
This marked the second time he had made such claims. In December, he accused ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna of plotting to “sell” the party to Jubilee and move it into the opposition.
This week, Junet argued that some members of the party, himself included, believe the disorganisation in ODM is linked to Uhuru.
“He wanted us to remain in the Azimio group and go into the next election like that, without considering that part of ODM is now in a broad-based government,” Junet said.
ODM chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has also accused Uhuru of interference.
Speaking during the Genowa Governor’s Cup finals at Raila Odinga Stadium, in the presence of President William Ruto, Wanga accused Uhuru of destabilising ODM through what she termed political mercenaries.
“We have respect for our brother Uhuru Kenyatta because he was our President, but we refuse any efforts to send mercenaries to destroy the ODM party. We loudly oppose that,” Wanga said.
“Please don’t send mercenaries to destabilise the ODM party. If it reaches there, we shall not be friends, and we shall deal with the matter firmly.”
Uhuru has denied the accusations.
The claims come amid renewed political overtures by the United Opposition, led by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-Kenya’s Eugene Wamalwa.
On January 17, the two opposition leaders held a high-profile meeting with grassroots leaders in Murang’a county, where they invited ODM to coalition talks.
After the meeting, Wamalwa said the opposition had agreed to intensify engagements with “like-minded parties”.
He singled out ODM, which recently resolved to open talks with other political formations in pursuit of a strong pre-election coalition.
“We reiterated our willingness as the United Opposition to engage other like-minded parties, including ODM, which has already made a resolution to open talks,” Wamalwa said.
He also challenged ODM’s top leadership, including party leader Oburu Odinga and secretary general Edwin Sifuna, to prioritise former Azimio partners who stood with Raila Odinga across multiple election cycles.
Parties that were part of Azimio include Wiper, Jubilee, DAP-K and PLP, then known as Narc Kenya.
“We challenged our fellow party leaders on why they should not give the first opportunity to immediate former Azimio partners who supported Raila Odinga because of our shared vision, values, ideals and principles,” Wamalwa said, citing alliances that span more than 15 years, particularly with Kalonzo.
Kalonzo has warned ODM against entering into a pre-election deal with UDA.
He argues that such an arrangement would not serve the party’s interests, and that President Ruto’s agenda is to weaken the outfit.
Last year, Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo publicly urged Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who are viewed as dissenting voices in ODM, to join the opposition.
Political analysts say there are signs of attempts to create parallel centres of influence in ODM with the aim of gradually pulling the party into the opposition.
Political commentator Thomas Amakanji said Uhuru is perceived by some ODM members as playing a role in the internal divisions.
“There is a view that one side of ODM is preparing to work with Kalonzo and Gachagua, while another faction aligns with Oburu Odinga’s position of remaining in the broad-based government,” he said.
The developments highlight deepening fault lines in ODM, with one faction favouring continued engagement with the Ruto administration beyond 2027, while another fears that such an arrangement could dilute the party’s identity and long-standing opposition credentials.
ODM’s political weight and national footprint make it a key player whose choices could decisively influence the shape of future coalitions.
