Kisumu County MP Ruth Odinga has called on ODM Party National Chairperson Governor Gladys Wanga to convene the National Executive Council (NEC) to facilitate the realignment of party structures and tame the faction led by Senator Edwin Sifuna.
In a detailed post on her Facebook page, Ruth Odinga emphasized the importance of the party exploring strategies for seamless collaboration as they build pre-election coalitions ahead of future elections. She cited the recent meeting of the Central Committee in Kilifi as a crucial initial step in this process. According to Odinga, the ODM Constitution outlines the necessary steps to ensure that every member’s perspective is represented and that all decisions made are valid. She highlighted that the committee had emphasized the need to plan for the 2027 General Election, highlighting the endorsement of discussions with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Ruth stated, “The meeting underscored the necessity of maintaining unity within the party, especially amidst internal tensions.” She urged, “It is now upon our National Chairperson, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, to fulfil her responsibilities under Article 6.3.3(vii) and convene the National Executive Committee (NEC).”
Furthermore, Odinga's remarks present a significant challenge to both Senator Sifuna and MP Babu Owino, who have openly opposed the leadership of Senator Oburu and his proposed structured negotiations with UDA and other aligned parties. She reiterated, "Ultimately, this structured approach will lead us to the National Delegates Conference (NDC), which is defined in Article 7.2.1 as the Supreme Organ of the Party with the authority to set Party policy."
Ruth Odinga called for a shift away from informal disputes and urged a return to formalized engagement through party organs, stating, “This is the most reliable pathway to building a resilient, united, and focused ODM. We must adhere strictly to the Constitution—from the NEC to the National Governing Council (NGC), and finally to the NDC—to secure our party's future.”
In a stark departure from her initial strong opposition to the ODM-UDA coalition, the daughter of Jaramogi emphasized the importance of collaboration. She now advocates for the ODM party to receive its fair share at the negotiation table, considering the party's strength and popularity. It will be interesting to see how the Sifuna team responds, especially as their numbers continue to dwindle.