Orange Democratic Movement party leader Oburu Oginga has responded to a section of party members who, in recent days, have voiced intentions to defect from the party,
Speaking in Kibera's Kamkunji grounds on Wednesday, January 14, during the party's first public engagement since the demise of its former leader, Raila Odinga, Oburu noted that he had no obligation to block anyone from leaving the party.
He added that he had no intention of removing anyone from the ODM party, calling on the unity of the party members as ODM kickstarts pre-coalition talks ahead of the 2027 general election.
"We must walk together, and we have no intention to remove anyone. If someone wants to leave let them leave alone," Oburu stated.
"If we want to negotiate, we must come together so as to negotiate from a point of strength," he added, noting that they cannot proceed to the negotiation table when the party is divided.
His statements further intensify the growing crack within ODM, with some members seemingly defying party direction.
Recently, ODM MPs led by Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga warned of a mass exodus from the party should the party expel its secretary general, Edwin Sifuna, over party infidelity.
At the Kamkunji meeting, the party leader defended the party's Central Management Committee's (CMC) resolution to begin pre-coalition negotiations in preparations for 2027.
During the CMC meeting in Kilifi on Monday, ODM resolved to begin pre-election negotiations, starting with President William Ruto's united democratic alliance (UDA) among other parties, as part of ODM's broader strategy to strengthen its national footing.
The Kibera meeting brought together senior party officials, including party chairperson Gladys Wanga, deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and Simba Arati, among others.
However, Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Deputy Party leader Godfrey Osotsi, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino were some notable members who skipped the rally.
He has now challenged dissatisfied members to proceed with their exit, saying the party would move on without them as it pushes ahead with coalition talks, a stance that has further exposed and intensified the simmering internal tensions within the party.
