Jubilee nominated MP Sabina Chege has expressed confidene that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will withstand the current political turbulence following the death of its long-serving leader, Raila Odinga.
Speaking during a TV morning breakfast show, Chege said the party’s foundation is strong enough to outlive individual defections and internal disagreements. She maintained that ODM remains a key player in the country’s political landscape and will be on the ballot come 2027.
“The ODM party will still be there in 2027. Some people may choose to leave, but the party itself is not going anywhere,” Chege asserted.
However, she acknowledged that further cracks could emerge within the movement, citing ideological rifts and shifting political loyalties that have intensified since Raila’s passing. According to her, leaders opposed to the ongoing talks around a broad-based government, including members linked to the emerging Kenya Moja alliance, could spearhead the next wave of defections.
“Kenya Moja is a coalition made up of different parties. Leaders like Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino, and Ndindi Nyoro could eventually chart their own political paths, but ODM as a party will survive,” she observed.
Gakuya: Oburu’s Appointment Strengthens Ruto–Odinga Deal
Chege’s remarks come days after Embakasi North MP James Gakuya weighed in on ODM’s succession and the appointment of Oburu Odinga as interim party leader. Gakuya described the move as a calculated effort to solidify the political understanding between President William Ruto and the Odinga family.
“The choice of Oburu was strategic—it cements the broad-based agreement between President Ruto and the late Raila Odinga. The Odinga family is now fully aligned with Ruto, and that position is unlikely to change,” he said.
According to Gakuya, President Ruto’s political future is increasingly intertwined with ODM’s stability, suggesting that the Head of State is more invested in the unity of ODM than in resolving divisions within his own UDA party.
He further dismissed speculation that a formal deal between Raila and Ruto existed before Raila’s death, explaining that what is unfolding now is a pragmatic attempt to keep ODM intact ahead of 2027.
“Some members will resist the new direction, but as elections draw nearer, they’ll either stay loyal or walk away. The real test for ODM is whether it can maintain unity without its founding leader,” Gakuya concluded.
