Inside ODM's growing divide as Raila Odinga anniversary exposes fault lines

Inside ODM's growing divide as Raila Odinga anniversary exposes fault lines

The anniversary offered a revealing backdrop for that contest, considering Bondo is not merely another political venue; it is closely tied to Raila’s family, history and political identity.

The sour relations between the family of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and top Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders are among the reasons the party’s chairperson and other senior officials kept away from Raila Odinga’s first anniversary commemoration on Thursday, The Eastleigh Voice has learnt.

According to an ODM MP, personal differences involving Raila's widow, Mama Ida, her daughter Winnie, and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga led the party chairperson to stay away and travel to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) instead of attending the memorial at Migwena Cultural Grounds in Bondo held in honour of the late party patriarch.

The MP, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that Wanga and other senior party officials did not receive official invitations and were not involved in planning the event.

“I kept away because we were never invited. Even the party chairperson was never invited, and that is the reason she is away at another activity in Dubai,” the legislator said.

The strained relationship between Wanga and Winnie came to the fore after the two reportedly clashed at a birthday party organised for Mama Ida. More recently, Wanga reportedly encountered difficulties during the candle-lighting ceremony held in remembrance of Raila at Uhuru Park.

Speaking in Sugor, West Pokot, while accompanying President William Ruto on a tour of the region on Friday, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed explained that the invitation extended to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua influenced his decision to stay away.

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Junet said he decided against attending the October 15, 2026, commemoration after seeing Gachagua’s name on the list of guests invited by Raila’s widow. The outspoken legislator maintained that he could not share the same space with Gachagua, invoking Raila’s legacy to explain his position.

“Jana niliona list ya wale walioalikwa na Mama Ida Odinga, nikaona mtu anaitwa Gachagua. Nikasema, siwezi kukaa mahali pamoja na Gachagua. Pia, spirit ya Baba haiwezi kukaa na Gachagua,” Junet said.

The anniversary gathering in Bondo brought together members of the Odinga family, political leaders and supporters to commemorate the former Prime Minister’s contribution to Kenya’s political history.

However, the guest list and the absence of several prominent politicians became part of the political conversation surrounding an event marked by tensions over the legacy of Raila, who died on October 15, 2025, while receiving medical treatment in India.

Gachagua, who was also invited to the anniversary, did not attend the event. However, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader attributed his absence to a previously scheduled programme in the United States (US).

“I was not able to attend since I am away in the United States of America on a programme that was pre-planned,” Gachagua said.

The enthusiastic reception accorded to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has meanwhile raised questions about the party’s influence in Nyanza, its relationship with Raila’s supporters and its ability to maintain unity following the death of its long-time leader.

Sifuna’s rise, amid his political disagreements with ODM’s leadership, has placed him at the centre of a wider debate over the party’s future. Associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement, he has become a prominent voice among leaders questioning ODM’s cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration.

The anniversary offered a revealing backdrop for that contest, considering Bondo is not merely another political venue; it is closely tied to Raila’s family, history and political identity. However, political analyst Samuel Owida observed that crowd reactions at the event must be interpreted cautiously.

Owida said the chants do not establish that Sifuna commands majority support among ODM followers in Nyanza, nor do they prove that the party has lost its regional influence.

They, however, in his view, demonstrate that Sifuna’s message generated visible enthusiasm at a gathering where political divisions were already apparent.

“The Raila family’s dalliance with the Linda Mwananchi has added another dimension to ODM’s internal disagreements. The movement’s criticism of the broad-based government arrangement at Mama Ida’s event speaks volumes,” said Owida.