The fragile unity of the Orange Democratic Movement is under siege as rival factions led by Governor James Orengo and Senator Edwin Sifuna hold parallel rallies, exposing deep-seated rifts that threaten to tear the party apart from within.

The house of Orange is on fire. What began as murmurs of discontent has erupted into open warfare as two of the party’s most senior figures, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, lead opposing factions in a public display of disunity. The latest flashpoint occurred this weekend, with parallel rallies being held in Nairobi and Kakamega, forcing party loyalists to pick sides. The spectacle has left supporters confused and rivals in the Kenya Kwanza alliance rubbing their hands in glee.

The Battle for the Soul of ODM

At the heart of the conflict is a struggle for control and succession. With Raila Odinga’s attention increasingly turned towards continental duties, a power vacuum has emerged. Orengo, a veteran of the struggle and a legal titan, represents the old guard—the "Young Turks" who are now the establishment. Sifuna, the abrasive and energetic Secretary General, represents the youthful, restless base that demands a generational change. The clash was inevitable.

In Nairobi, Sifuna—flanked by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino—held a charged rally where the rhetoric was fiery and uncompromising. They accused "certain leaders" of being lethargic and out of touch. Meanwhile, in Kakamega, another faction aligned with the "old guard" held their own court, preaching stability and experience. The Deputy Party Leader, Simba Arati, has pointed fingers at external forces, but the rot clearly stems from within.

A House Divided

The optics of these rival rallies are disastrous for a party that prides itself on discipline and mass mobilization. “We cannot have two centers of power,” a party insider lamented. The rift is not just ideological; it is personal. Sifuna and Babu Owino have been positioning themselves as the rightful heirs to the throne, a move that rankles the senior veterans who believe they have not yet had their turn to eat.

• The Babu Owino Factor: The Embakasi East MP is a wild card. His alliance with Sifuna creates a potent, populist block that appeals to the youth but terrifies the party conservatives.
• Raila’s Dilemma: The party leader’s silence is deafening. Raila faces the impossible task of mediating between his loyal lieutenants without alienating either the energetic youth or the experienced veterans.

As the shouting matches grow louder, the question remains: Can ODM survive this internal civil war? If the Orengo and Sifuna factions cannot find common ground, the Orange party risks imploding long before the first ballot is cast in 2027. The cracks are visible, and they are widening by the day.