The cracks in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) are widening into a chasm. Ruth Odinga has broken her silence, demanding an immediate return to constitutional order as rival factions threaten to tear the party of her brother, Raila Odinga, into irreparable pieces.

While the "Young Turks" led by Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino agitate for radical shifts and immediate conventions, the old guard is calling for restraint. Ruth Odinga, the Kisumu Woman Representative, has openly clashed with the firebrands, insisting that the party cannot be run by mob rule. Her call for Homa Bay Governor and Party Chairperson Gladys Wanga to convene the National Executive Committee (NEC) is a desperate bid to pull the emergency brake before the vehicle careens off the cliff.

Protocol vs. Passion

"We are a party of law, not noise," Ruth declared, referencing the resolutions made at the recent Central Management Committee (CMC) meeting in Vipingo. Her stance highlights the deepening ideological rift: one side wants a structured, cautious approach to the 2027 elections and potential coalitions (hinting at the UDA dalliance), while the other demands a confrontational, immediate overhaul.

• The Chain of Command: Ruth insists decisions must flow from CMC to NEC, then to the National Governing Council, before reaching the Delegates Conference.
• The Coalition Question: At the heart of the fight is the controversial "broad-based" cooperation with President Ruto’s government, which has split the loyalty of the rank and file.
• The Townhall Strategy: Ruth is proposing nationwide townhall meetings to listen to the grassroots before any binding decisions are made—a direct challenge to the Nairobi-centric leadership.

The Ghost of 2027

This is not just about procedure; it is a battle for the soul of ODM in a post-Raila era. Gladys Wanga now finds herself in the eye of the storm, tasked with managing egos that are larger than the party’s current mandate. If she fails to convene the NEC and bring the warring factions to the table, ODM risks suffering the same fate as JUBILEE—death by internal strangulation.

As the shouting matches continue in funeral fundraisers and church pulpits, the party faithful are left confused. Ruth Odinga’s intervention is a reminder that without discipline, the orange movement will rot from the inside out.