The sanctity of the grave is being violated by political opportunism, warns Philip Etale, as he calls on ODM members to stop using the name of the late Raila Odinga to settle cheap political scores.

In an emotionally charged directive, the Orange Democratic Movement’s Director of Communications has lashed out at a faction of the party he accuses of commodifying the legacy of the fallen liberation hero. Four months after Raila Odinga’s passing, the party he built is threatening to tear itself apart, with rival camps invoking his name to legitimize their power grabs. Etale’s message is a desperate plea for decency: honor the man by emulating his values, not by dragging his memory through the mud of internal squabbles.

The Struggle for the Soul of ODM

Etale, a longtime confidant of the Odinga family, described the current trend as "disturbing" and contrary to everything the former Prime Minister stood for. He painted a picture of Raila as a leader defined by forgiveness and unity, a sharp contrast to the divisive rhetoric currently being spewed by those claiming to be his "true" successors.

"He was a man who never kept anger in his heart," Etale reminded the party faithful. "Invoking his name to suit personal interests or to scare away people is not what he believed in. He cannot continue being disturbed in death."

• The 10-Point Agenda: Etale urged members to focus on implementing the cooperation pact Raila signed with President Ruto—his final political act—rather than fighting over titles.
• Family Pain: The statement highlighted the distress these political games are causing the Odinga family, who are still mourning the loss of their patriarch and his sister, Beryl Achieng.
• Loyalty vs. Sycophancy: The comms chief drew a line between genuine loyalty to Raila’s vision and the performative sycophancy currently on display on social media.

A Party at a Crossroads

The death of a charismatic founder often plunges a political movement into chaos, and ODM is no exception. Without the gravitational pull of "Baba," the centrifugal forces of ambition are spinning out of control. Etale’s intervention is an attempt to stabilize the ship, but it also reveals the depth of the leadership vacuum left behind.

For the millions of supporters who looked up to Raila as a father figure, the infighting is a bitter pill to swallow. The message from the party center is clear: the best way to honor the Enigma is to let him rest in peace and get to work building the Kenya he dreamed of.