Mama Ida Urges ODM Leaders to Resolve Differences Through Dialogue and Preserve Party Unity
Though the exchange went to deepen the divisions brought within the party, members took up arms against each other in open warfare.
Mama Ida Odinga speaks during the late Raila Odinga's birthday celebrations in Karen, Nairobi on January 7, 2026. Photo/Courtesy.
By Ruth Sang
Mama Ida Odinga has invoked the senior leadership of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to deliberate on their internal tussles and ensure that party unity prevails; it would serve fittingly as the tribute to the late Raila Odinga and serve the country.
This follows a public quarrelling between Edwin Sifuna, ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator, and the party’s Director of Elections, Suna East Member of Parliament, Junet Mohamed. In their exchange, they trade accusations on how campaign resources were managed during Raila Odinga’s unsuccessful presidential run in 2022, and this disagreement has brought forth underlying tensions within the party in a post-Raila era.
This dispute has played out in public through the past few days, drawing sharp reactions from party members and supporters. According to observers, the evolution of the division stage within ODM comes at a critical time as unity and cohesion are seen as most important for the future of the party.
Speaking on Wednesday in Karen during events marking what would have been Raila Odinga’s 81st birthday, Mama Ida urged the party’s top leadership to pause, reflect, and seek reconciliation. Indeed, preserving ODM in unity would be a meaningful tribute to Raila’s lifelong commitment to the party and his broader vision for Kenya.
“It is my sincere hope that we can protect and sustain the party in his honour, as a service not just to ODM but to the nation as a whole,” she said. “I appeal to those entrusted with leadership to reflect honestly and deeply on Baba’s dreams for both the party and our country.”
Mama Ida encouraged ODM leaders to settle their disputes by applying the same principles that Raila would have used to address such fallouts. After all, dialogue and consultations were parts and parcels of leadership under Raila.
“If we ask ourselves what Baba would do in this situation, the answer is clear. He would tell us to sit down and talk. That is my wish-to see leaders come together, talk openly, and resolve their differences,” she stated.
Raila Odinga himself engaged in rigorous consultations with party leaders and everyday citizens before making any big decisions. As Mama Ida states, this culture of inclusiveness and constant referal to the people has kept ODM strong and grounded.
So, by urging these leaders and members to consolidate their legacies in honour of Baba, she pointed out how he would carry forth that legacy together-the love Baba had for ODM was great. He indeed ran the party with yadith, firmness, and fairness, always guided by consultation and the will of the people, acknowledging party stalwarts and members who stood by him during his living and after his passing.
Tensions between Sifuna and Junet bubbled to the surface at the funeral of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya’s mother, where Sifuna since then accused Junet of misusing campaign funds allegedly availed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, which he alleged never reached agents but contributed to Raila’s loss in some major areas.
Junet dismissed claims, retorting that it was shared among Uhuru’s inner circle, some of which allegedly reached Sifuna himself. Though the exchange went to deepen the divisions brought within the party, members took up arms against each other in open warfare.
This controversy has also brought Sifuna under increased scrutiny concerning his conduct, with Migori Senator Eddy Oketch being the first to call for removal of Sifuna from ODM leadership over acts which, he alleged, constituted misconduct. Later, however, Oketch withdrawn the motion, saying he elected to respect Raila Odinga’s belief in dialogue as the best avenue of resolving disputes.
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