Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has affirmed that ODM party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga holds the sole constitutional authority to provide political direction to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, as internal debates continue over the party's alignment with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Speaking on Thursday, December 12, Mbadi addressed the visible divisions within ODM following the death of the party's former leader, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, stating that such divergence of views is both expected and healthy in a democracy.
"In every democracy, divergent views are encouraged because it informs and enriches the decisions to be made finally," Mbadi said.
The CS acknowledged that the current turbulence within ODM was inevitable, given the magnitude of the leadership transition following the passing of Raila Odinga.
"What has happened in ODM was expected. You cannot expect everything to remain the same when a towering leader like Raila Odinga vacates the scene. There must be instability," Mbadi explained.
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However, he expressed optimism that the party is finding its footing under new leadership.
"The saving grace is that it's settling. What is important is what the top leadership says and the direction he gives after everyone has expressed themselves," he added.
Mbadi emphasized that according to both the Constitution and ODM tradition, the party leader holds exclusive authority to negotiate political arrangements and provide direction to the party.
"The Constitution, and even ODM tradition says that the party leader is the only person allowed to negotiate any arrangements, be it coalition, or give political direction to ODM. All the rest will say things and give their views but finally the party leader will give direction," the CS stated.
"The party leader as it is Dr. Oburu Oginga. He will finally announce to the country that this is the direction we are taking after consulting with different party organs."
Mbadi noted that while various party organs and leaders have expressed differing opinions, the ultimate decision rests with Dr. Oburu.
"The party organs are speaking. Maybe the Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Deputy party leader had a divergent view. But I think everybody else is aligned on which direction we should go to," he said.
The party has witnessed notable disagreements among its leadership since the late Raila Odinga's passing, particularly regarding ODM's relationship with President William Ruto's government.
At the ODM@20 celebrations in Mombasa in November, Siaya Governor James Orengo openly criticized the current political arrangement, asserting that President Ruto needs ODM more than the party needs him.
"I dare say this, Ruto needs ODM; it's not ODM that needs Ruto," Orengo declared at the time, expressing support for statements made by Dr. Oburu and Winnie Odinga, daughter of the late party leader, who had cautioned against attempts to divide the party.
The party’s Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, and Deputy Party Leader, Gladys Wanga, have also been seen taking different directions on matters regarding ODM’s direction, which has left speculations on where the party stands.
In November, Dr. Oburu Oginga made clear his ambition to lead ODM into government in the 2027 elections, rejecting any notion of the party playing an opposition role.
He vowed to strengthen the party and warned against attempts to fragment it, stating that ODM would either compete independently or form strategic alliances with favorable terms.
"I'm not going to lead my party to the opposition. I'm going to lead my party to the government," Oburu declared in November, outlining his vision for the party's future trajectory.
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