ODM Infighting Splits Nairobi County Assembly
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is facing an internal standoff in the Nairobi County Assembly, where rival factions of its legislators are clashing over party leadership and control.
Tensions within the party have intensified following a national leadership dispute involving ODM figure Dr Oburu Oginga and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga. That rivalry has now filtered down to the county level, exposing divisions among ODM MCAs in Nairobi, where the party holds a majority.
The dispute centres on Majority Leader Peter Imwatok and Majority Whip Moses Ogeto. Both are accused by fellow ODM members of supporting Winnie Odinga’s call for generational change within the party. Their critics argue that this alignment weakens Dr Oburu’s authority and challenges the existing leadership structure.
Imwatok and Ogeto are said to be aligned with a broader reform-oriented faction that includes ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. This group has opposed closer cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration and has advocated for internal party reforms.
The disagreement escalated on Wednesday when a section of ODM MCAs threatened to remove Imwatok and Ogeto from their leadership positions. Baba Dogo MCA Geophrey Odhiambo Majiwa accused the two leaders of undermining the party while maintaining links with its political rivals. He maintained that ODM remains committed to the broad-based government arrangement endorsed by Raila Odinga, which he said would remain in place until its scheduled review in 2027.
Other MCAs echoed these views, affirming support for Dr Oburu as the party’s legitimate leader. Korogocho MCA Absalom Odhiambo warned that dissenting members could be replaced when the assembly resumes from recess. Ngei MCA Redson Otieno Onyango argued that the current leadership had served long enough and should allow new leaders to take over.
The group also indicated support for Makadara MP George Aladwa as a potential candidate for Nairobi governor. Imwatok and Ogeto have rejected the accusations and challenged their critics to pursue any leadership changes through formal and democratic procedures. Mr Ogeto said the party needed to return to a culture of consultation, which he described as a core principle under Raila Odinga’s leadership.
Winnie Odinga has acknowledged that her allies are under increasing pressure, saying that those who oppose the current political arrangement often face exclusion from government appointments and other administrative challenges.
