ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga has moved to quell the firestorm threatening to consume the Orange party. Facing an internal rebellion over the party's dalliance with the government, Oburu has ruled out disciplinary expulsions, instead offering a stark choice to dissenters: stay and toe the line, or leave voluntarily.

Speaking at the historic Kamukunji Grounds—the spiritual home of Kenya’s opposition politics—Oburu addressed the widening chasm between the party’s old guard, who favor cooperation with President Ruto, and the "Young Turks" like Babu Owino, who demand resistance. "We are a democratic party. We do not chase people away," Oburu said. "Lakini mtu akitaka aondoke mwenyewe (But if someone wants to leave, let them leave)."

The Struggle for the Soul of ODM

The rally was the first major public event since the death of Raila Odinga, and the void left by the "Enigma" was palpable. Oburu, trying to fit into his brother’s gigantic shoes, struggled to unite a crowd that seemed divided in loyalty. Hecklers chanting "Babu! Babu!" briefly interrupted his speech, signaling the generational tension.

The rift centers on the 2027 strategy. One faction believes that partnering with the government ensures development for Nyanza, while the other argues it is a betrayal of the reformist ideology. Oburu’s "open door" policy is a gamble—hoping that rebels will lack the political capital to form their own outfits and will eventually fall in line.

• No Purge: By ruling out expulsions, Oburu avoids creating martyrs. He remembers too well how past purges in parties like FORD-Kenya led to their fragmentation.
• The Ruto Factor: Critics accuse Oburu of "sanitizing" the government. His response? "Politics is about interests, not permanent enmity. We must secure our people’s future."