Bold warning: internal rifts within ODM could undermine its 2027 election strategy.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathew Owili cautioned that growing divisions within the ODM threaten the party’s influence and bargaining power ahead of the polls. Speaking in Kisumu, he voiced concern about the party’s current direction. While affirming his strong loyalty to ODM, he acknowledged the party is increasingly split into two rival camps. One faction is mobilizing to unseat President William Ruto, while another has openly aligned with the President’s re-election bid, he said.
Owili, a key loyalist and Kisumu governor aspirant, warned that the infighting is premature and strategically perilous. He contended that public confrontations merely erode the party’s leverage during important national dialogues. “If we continue this internal war, we weaken our seat at the table,” the deputy governor stated, urging members to pursue dialogue rather than open hostility.
He stressed that ODM should not commit to any political alliance without a formal negotiation process. He called for a more professional approach to coalition-building, insisting that future agreements must be officially documented, properly drafted, and signed to prevent breaches. “It should be built on a clear consensus about who should lead the talks and which policy issues must be prioritized.”
Owili pointed out that the party has yet to finalize its official negotiators or core agenda, making the current scramble among factions counterproductive. In an effort to promote reconciliation, he rejected calls to expel dissenting members. Referencing ODM founder Raila Odinga, he argued that the veteran leader championed inclusivity and political tolerance. “If Raila could lend a hand to those he disagreed with, then nothing is impossible for us,” Owili said, adding that, in Raila’s spirit, members should come together and find common ground.
The deputy governor warned that without a unified front and a legally binding roadmap, ODM risks entering the 2027 election cycle at a significant disadvantage.
Note: This rewrite preserves the original facts and intent while presenting them in a fresh, accessible style. It also foregrounds the central tension and highlights potential points of debate, inviting readers to consider whether the party’s path to unity is feasible and whether formal negotiations are the right remedy.
