Raila moves to quell disquiet in ODM, wants focus redirected to 2027 poll

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has moved to quell disunity within the party, telling off those reportedly creating their own factions within the opposition political outfit.

Mr. Odinga, who insisted that ODM should remain united, rallied all his troops across the country to forge a common front if the party is to capture the presidency in 2027.

The former Prime Minister, who was addressing delegates during the National Governing Council (NGC) at the Bomas of Kenya on Thursday, said there is no vacuum in ODM as of yet since he has not even captured the African Union Commission (AUC) seat.

“As you are aware, ODM was born out of a struggle when forces of status quo tried to circumvent the wishes of Kenyans as expressed here in Bomas on the kind of Constitution the country deserves. Out of that attempt to kill the people’s dream, ODM sprung as a mass movement to stand for and with the people,” he said.

“We should never lose sight of the fact that fighting on the side of the people is our national calling. I won’t be there forever but ODM must live on. ODM is not Raila, it’s about the people. We need a team whose singular focus is to take this party to power.”

ODM party deputies Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya pledged to remain fully behind Mr. Odinga whether he clinches the AUC seat or not.

Joho said that their main goal now is to form the next government, and not to play politics within the party.

These sentiments were echoed by Oparanya who said they are burning the midnight oil to sustain ODM for the future.

“As you come here, you must know that ODM is a national party and it is not easy to put up a national party like this one. We thank my party leader for the sacrifices he has made to ensure ODM stands for the last 19 years,” Oparanya said.

“We want ODM to be a party that will live beyond our senses as we retire. When Odinga said he was going to AU, there was unnecessary excitement about who would be the party leader. Artificial groups emerged...I will plead with you leaders, you go to the public, weigh what you are going to say."