ODM's desperation: Oburu says he is ready to quit if supporters think he is divisive

The ODM party yesterday staged a spirited intervention to rejuvenate its grassroots support in an act of desperation that exposed the party’s underbelly and apparent insecurities amid a passionate plea by leaders for unity.

If an example of the quote 'desperate times call for desperate measures' was in practice, ODM's rally in Kisumu's historic Kirembe grounds ticked all the boxes as a swarm of crowds in matching orange outfits pitched a tent to listen to their leaders. 

In an event clouded with claims of hired crowds and glaring, intense mobilisation, party leader Oburu Oginga claimed he was ready to quit his role if he was the reason dividing the community, as he urged the Luo community to trust his leadership.

And in a change of strategy, the ODM brigade addressed issues that had been affecting Kenyans that they had largely ignored in their previous public meetings, including concerns over the high cost of fuel and laxity by the government to compensate victims of extra-judicial attacks.

Dr Oburu’s frustrations were glaring as he elaborated in Luo how he rose to the party’s top seat while dismissing critics challenging his leadership as he led his allies to rally support for their political union with President Ruto.

“I do not like fighting over things. If I am the one dividing the community, then I am ready to quit,” said Oburu as the party appeared to backpedal on some of its earlier positions.

After months of only chanting pro-government slogans that had appeared to be out of touch with their supporters, the party also appeared to backtrack as the leaders targeted the pathos of their supporters by proposing actions on some of the problems Kenyans are facing.

However, for a party that has given up any interest in any of the country's top seats, leaders pitched to their supporters why they should back Ruto for another term while promising that the party has set its eyes on the presidency in the 2032 General Elections.

As this happened, crowds clad in ODM-branded T-shirts, caps, reflector jackets and capes chanted pro-government slogans as speakers took to the podium. A few metres from where the event took place, a fleet of school buses and lorries that had ferried attendees lined up.

The colourful scenes were the culmination of days of intensive mobilisation by the party, which had deployed grassroots networks, youth groups, roadshows and community engagements to rally supporters for what party insiders described as one of the largest political gatherings in the region in recent months.

For entertainment, the ODM brigade had settled on the crowd puller and celebrated artist Prince Indah, alongside other artists.

In resolutions read by chairperson Gladys Wanga, the party called for the implementation of the ten-point agenda that had formed part of the so-called broad-based government. Interestingly, it is the same group that had given the report that was released in March a vote of confidence despite the gaps in implementation.

At the time, a section of party members had poked holes at the report for ignoring the status of extrajudicial killings, the independence of political parties, wastage of national resources and the national debt.

Yesterday, however, the tone was different. The ODM leaders sought to reach out to their support bases by touching on issues affecting the populace, albeit without any concrete recommendations, as focus quickly turned into support for Ruto’s re-election.

“We reaffirm our commitment to the full implementation of the ten-point agenda, in particular, the question of compensation,” read the resolutions in part. The party also challenged the government to step up intermediary measures to caution Kenyans as a result of the fuel crisis.

The leaders also launched scathing attacks on the opposition, with Oburu taking a direct aim at members of the United Opposition, claiming he cannot lead the ODM brigade to join forces with them.

Speaking largely to the Luo community, whom he described as the historical pillar of ODM, Oburu urged supporters to remain united and resist attempts by political rivals to divide them.

"The Luo community has always been the pillar of ODM, and I have come here to ask my people to remain steadfast. Remain united and remain committed to the party," said Oburu.

He said ODM's focus was firmly on capturing power in 2027 and negotiating from a position of strength rather than aligning itself with opposition movements. 

"We are aiming at power in 2027, and we are going to make sure we defeat our opponents. We are not afraid of anybody. We know where we are going," he said.

Oburu specifically distanced ODM from political formations associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying the party would instead continue engaging like-minded political partners through structured negotiations.

"We are going to negotiate with like-minded parties beginning with UDA, which is our current partner in the broad-based government. We shall negotiate firmly and ensure ODM's interests and the interests of our people are protected," he said.

He argued that ODM's political experience placed it in a stronger position than its rivals and expressed confidence that any future political arrangement involving the party would be based on mutual respect and equality.

"Our people are politically mature. We know how to negotiate and we know how to protect our interests. We shall sit at the table and negotiate as equals," he added.

Using a transport analogy, Wanga likened the opposition to a bus whose destination, driver and leadership remain unknown.

"There is a bus called the opposition. We do not know its driver. We do not know its conductor. It is full of confusion," Wanga told the cheering crowd.

She argued that ODM had no reason to abandon its place within government and join an opposition movement that lacked clear direction and national inclusivity.

Wanga defended ODM's participation in the broad-based government, saying the party currently occupies a strategic position that allows it to influence decisions affecting its supporters.

Leaders expressed concern over the country's economic challenges, including rising fuel costs and the impact of global events on local economies. They also called for urgent action to improve safety in schools following the recent tragedy at Utumishi Academy in Gilgil.

The party urged the government to review and fully implement recommendations made by previous commissions and task forces on school safety.

Additionally, ODM leaders called for enhanced public education on internationally supported health programmes, arguing that misinformation and political manipulation were undermining public confidence in critical health interventions.

ODM Deputy Secretary General Catherine Omanyo used her address to remind supporters of the sacrifices made by Raila Odinga and the broader reform movement over the years.

"You gave Kenya Raila Odinga and stood with him throughout the struggle for a better country. Those sacrifices should not be forgotten," she said.

Deputy party leader Simba Arati praised the Luo community for its organisation and assured them that the party is ready to clinch the presidency in 2032. Similarly, Finance CS John Mbadi claimed he was ready to present himself to lead the community to the presidency in 2032.

"I would like to urge Nyanza residents that we must take power in 2032. Are you ready?" posed Arati.

In his speech, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi urged the community to remain united, arguing that the party's strength lies in unity.
Concerns over claims of favouritism also flickered during the event as some of the leaders challenged the party to ensure that their supporters are allowed to elect their preferred leaders based on their track record.

"In these coming elections, we must allow Kenyans to decide their next leaders and those who have not worked must go home," said Nyamita.