- Odinga family calls for unity inside ODM
- Party leaders give strong warnings to rebels
- Edwin Sifuna becomes the target of internal pressure
- President Ruto positions himself as a friend of ODM
- Future of the party now uncertain without Raila
ODM leaders used Raila Odinga’s funeral space to send a message of unity and loyalty. Ruth Odinga reminded supporters that Raila wanted the party to remain as one home. Acting Party Leader Oburu Odinga promised that Raila’s name will continue to live inside the party.
MP Millie Odhiambo also insisted that ODM must stay the largest political force in Kenya.
Homa Bay Governor and Party Chairperson Gladys Wanga delivered a direct warning to members creating division. She said anyone uncomfortable with ODM should leave quietly. Senator Ledama Ole Kina spoke about patience and democracy, while Deputy Party Leader Senator Osotsi asked members to wait until the mourning ends before internal issues are addressed.
Former Chairperson and current Treasury CS John Mbadi made one of the most emotional speeches. With a shaking voice, he said ODM should never walk away from State House because Raila would have wanted to see the Orange close to power.
Behind the scenes, the biggest storm surrounds Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna. Supporters of President William Ruto’s broad coalition plan accuse Sifuna of being stubborn and ignoring Raila’s political idea. They now paint him as the main obstacle.
But others believe Sifuna is the last person protecting ODM’s original values and refusing to bow to full State House influence.
During the funeral, Sifuna remained bold.
“Mimi sitachangia kuangusha chama cha ODM,” he said.
“I will keep this party united even under provocation. Baba knows this!”
His message was clear. Not everyone using Raila’s name has pure intentions.
President William Ruto spoke softly and carefully. He praised Raila as a teacher and friend, promising to protect ODM in honour of Raila’s wishes. With those few sentences, he walked straight into the emotional centre of Raila’s supporters.
Many observers noted that this could reshuffle politics quietly from the inside.
The real danger for ODM is not only who takes over. It is whether the party will still look like the movement Raila built. Without him, there is an open emotional space, and whoever fills it will shape ODM’s future direction.
If Sifuna is forced out, critics say it will show that survival now means surrender. If he stays, ODM may return to its older image of resistance.
ODM was born from a protest during the 2005 referendum. Years later, Kenya entered the grand coalition in 2008 to calm post-election violence. Since then, the Orange has sat at many negotiation tables and formed deals to protect its position.
But today, the risk is different. ODM may become just another decoration of power instead of a challenger.
The Orange movement has entered a period full of uncertainty, rivalry, and strategy. For the first time, it must survive without its founder’s guiding voice. What happens next could shape Kenya’s political future.
