Senator Oburu Oginga has bluntly told a rebellious faction led by Edwin Sifuna to immediately leave the Orange Democratic Movement if they are uncomfortable, severely deepening the party's internal crisis.

The simmering political tensions within Kenya's main opposition party have finally exploded into the public arena. During a fiery address, veteran politician and ODM trustee Oburu Oginga drew a definitive line in the sand regarding the ongoing leadership disputes.

The fracture threatens to destabilize the political landscape well ahead of the 2027 General Election. With key figures like Edwin Sifuna pulling in a radically different direction regarding the party's engagement with the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration, the foundational unity of the Orange party is facing its most severe stress test in over a decade.

The Heart of the Factional War

The internal conflict centers heavily on the party's strategic direction following the controversial incorporation of several top ODM officials into President William Ruto's broad-based cabinet. This unprecedented political maneuver created an immediate and deep ideological schism. One faction, heavily associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, has maintained a fiercely critical stance against the government, demanding rigorous opposition and accountability. The opposing faction, leaning closer to the party's traditional establishment and the newly appointed cabinet secretaries, advocates for a more cooperative, inside-out approach to governance.

Speaking with characteristic bluntness, Oburu Oginga dismissed the dissenting voices. He made it abundantly clear that the party's core leadership would not tolerate prolonged internal sabotage. By openly daring the Sifuna-led group to exit the party if they refuse to align with the current trajectory, Oburu has effectively dared the dissidents to test their individual political capital outside the formidable ODM machinery.

Implications for the 2027 Strategy

This public dressing-down has profound implications for the political dynamics in key battlegrounds like Nairobi, Western Kenya, and the Nyanza region. Sifuna, as the Secretary-General and a vocal leader in the capital, commands significant grassroots support among the urban youth. Alienating this demographic could prove incredibly costly for ODM as it attempts to consolidate its traditional bases.

Behind the scenes, the party's respected Council of Trustees—including heavyweights like Amos Wako and Timothy Bosire—have been leading a quiet, desperate push to reconcile the warring camps. However, insiders report that this initiative has largely faltered, as both sides stubbornly refuse to cede ground or suspend their hardline positions regarding the party's future leadership hierarchy.

• Leadership Vacuum: The departure of key figures to the cabinet has sparked a vicious succession battle for party control.
• Grassroots Confusion: Supporters are increasingly bewildered by the conflicting messaging emanating from top officials.
• Coalition Strains: The internal strife weakens ODM's bargaining power within the broader Azimio la Umoja coalition.

The Financial and Political Cost

Beyond the immediate optics, the factional war is beginning to drain the party's resources and focus. Instead of mounting a robust challenge against the government's economic policies—such as the widely criticized ballooning of State House expenditure which recently hit KSh 10.4 billion (approx. $75 million)—ODM finds itself bogged down in parochial infighting. This distraction serves the interests of the ruling party perfectly, providing them with critical breathing room to consolidate their 2027 reelection machinery without facing a united opposition front.

The situation requires delicate handling, but Oburu's remarks signal a shift towards an uncompromising enforcement of party discipline. The establishment appears willing to risk a splintering of the party rather than endure continuous internal rebellion that undermines their strategic alignment.

'We will not expel anyone from ODM, but anyone can leave if he likes,' the veteran politician firmly stated, issuing a final ultimatum to the dissenting voices.

The coming weeks will determine whether this tough love approach forcefully unites the party, or irrevocably shatters the most dominant opposition force in Kenyan politics.