Oburu Odinga Defends ODM Unity, Hits Out At Orengo Over ‘Derogatory’ Politics
Politics Updated: 23 May 2026 12:46 EAT
ODM Leader Dr. Oburu Oginga Odinga speaking during the funeral of Hon. Jared Okelo's mother
Oburu Odinga has defended the unity of the Orange Democratic Movement while sharply criticising James Orengo over recent remarks targeting senior party leaders amid growing tensions within ODM.
Speaking during a funeral gathering, Oburu said the party’s priority remains consolidating support across the country and strengthening its position within the broad-based government arrangement.
“I would like to say something in English. I am first of all pleading for the unity of my people,” Oburu said as he opened his address.
He insisted that political unity was central to ODM’s future ambitions, arguing that the party must remain focused on capturing power through constitutional means rather than engaging in internal conflicts.
“Our strength lies in our unity and we must unite in order to capture power,” he stated.
Oburu further defended ODM’s pursuit of national leadership, saying there was nothing wrong with openly seeking political power as provided for within the party constitution.
“And we don't fear to say we want power because our own constitution says in article number 7A that the first objective of the party is to obtain political power through constitutional means,” he said.
The veteran politician also appeared to criticise leaders opposed to ODM’s cooperation with President William Ruto, saying those supporting rival political camps risk weakening the community’s bargaining power.
“And you, if you want to contain, if you want to obtain that power by supporting others who have said they don't want you and they don't want our community, that is up to you,” he remarked.
Oburu reaffirmed ODM’s commitment to the broad-based government, insisting the arrangement would continue as the party seeks to negotiate from a position of strength.
“But for us, we are very clear that we are in the broad-based government to stay and we are going to negotiate, and we are going to negotiate from a position of strength,” he said.
He added that ODM leaders would continue traversing the country to solidify support and strengthen the party’s grassroots structures ahead of future political contests.
“We are going to continue to move all over the country to talk to our supporters, strengthen our branches, strengthen our regions,” Oburu stated.
The East African Legislative Assembly member said ODM’s long-term goal is to remain the dominant political movement in the region.
“And make sure that our party remains the biggest party north of River Limpopo and south of the Sahara. That is our aim,” he declared.
Oburu also dismissed criticism directed at the party’s current strategy, insisting ODM leaders were not ashamed of their political choices.
“We are not ashamed of what we are doing,” he said.
Without directly naming Orengo at first, Oburu accused some leaders of using abusive and divisive rhetoric aimed at distracting ODM from its objectives.
“And we are sure that those other people want to distract us by using very abusive language,” he stated.
The veteran politician questioned the conduct of leaders who publicly attack their colleagues during political gatherings and public forums.
“How do you go as a leader in a market and start talking very derogatory language in a market about your fellow leaders and you talk about them as if that is politics?” he posed.
Oburu maintained that such political attacks diminish the dignity expected of senior national leaders.
“Personally, I think that is not politics,” he added.
He then directly criticised Orengo over remarks made during recent political engagements, describing the Siaya Governor’s conduct as disappointing.
“What Honorable Borango did is, I think, very degrading and it is unbecoming of a leader who should know better,” Oburu said.
He noted that Orengo’s many years in public service should have guided him toward more respectful political engagement.
“He has been in politics, I think he should know better,” Oburu remarked.
Despite the criticism, Oburu insisted he would not engage in prolonged exchanges with Orengo, accusing his critics of attempting to divert attention from ODM’s broader political agenda.
“But we are not going to answer him because he is just trying to distract us,” he said.
The ODM stalwart further dismissed the attacks as political “shenanigans” unworthy of serious engagement from party leaders.
“I'm not interested in answering those shenanigans and those others,” he declared.
In one of the speech’s most striking metaphors, Oburu likened his critics to people complaining while others continue progressing with their agenda.
“They are like a complain when a cow is drinking maji. So we shall continue to drink maji and they will continue to complain,” he said.
He concluded his speech by sending condolences to the bereaved family and praying for the peaceful rest of the deceased.
“So with those many remarks, let the soul of mama rest in peace and may the Almighty God rest her, put her in a good place in heaven,” Oburu concluded.
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