What began as a simmering disagreement has now exploded into the open, with Oburu Oginga launching a blistering attack on James Orengo over remarks perceived to challenge the authority and direction of the party.
In a fiery response, Oburu dismissed Orengo’s assertions and sarcastically told him he was free to become the party leader of the birds if he was unhappy with the current leadership structure in ODM.
The explosive statement comes amid growing tensions within the Raila Odinga-led party, where factions have increasingly emerged over the future of the movement and possible alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Oburu, a longtime loyalist and elder brother to ODM leader Raila Odinga, accused Orengo of undermining the party from within through constant criticism and mixed political messaging.
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The lawmaker insisted that ODM already has a clear leadership hierarchy and warned against attempts to create confusion among supporters by making divisive public statements.
His remarks are seen as a direct response to Orengo’s recent declarations defending his political stance and reaffirming his loyalty to ODM while also criticizing certain decisions within the party.
Orengo, who has in recent weeks positioned himself as a voice of dissent within ODM, has been vocal on governance matters and has occasionally appeared to differ with sections of the party leadership.
Political analysts say the public exchange signals deepening divisions in ODM as allies begin to position themselves ahead of 2027, especially as questions linger over Raila’s future role in active politics.
The clash also highlights the growing influence of competing camps within the party, with one side pushing for strict loyalty while another advocates for internal democracy and open criticism.
As the verbal battle intensifies, supporters are now watching closely to see whether Raila will step in to calm tensions or allow the leaders to settle the matter politically.
The fallout could have significant implications for ODM’s unity, especially at a time when the opposition is expected to reorganize and strategize for the next election cycle.
