Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has called for the dissolution of the rival Linda Ground and Linda Mwananchi factions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Ruth said ODM must consolidate its ranks and emerge as one formidable political force capable of negotiating structured pre-election coalitions from a position of strength.
“My stand has not changed; I want one strong united ODM Party. We need to collapse ‘Linda Ground’ and ‘Linda Wananchi’ and whatever other faction out there into one formidable force,” she said.
She issued the statement after meeting Kisumu Central Constituency ODM delegates and party executives at the sub-county offices in Kisumu City during an engagement ahead of county elections scheduled for later this week.
Ruth emphasised the importance of internal unity, noting that the party still has time under the law to organise itself before entering into any coalition arrangements.
“Last time I checked, the Political Parties Act gives parties up to May 2027 (or three months before elections) to deposit their pre-election coalition agreements with them. That means we must make use of the available time to put our Orange house in order,” she said.
Her remarks come amid growing tensions between the two informal factions within ODM.
Linda Ground is associated with leaders perceived to be open to supporting President William Ruto’s re-election bid, while Linda Mwananchi is largely opposed to granting the President another term.
Linda Ground is led by Siaya Senator and ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga, while Linda Mwananchi is spearheaded by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Ruth dismissed claims that her calls for unity amount to disrespect toward the party leadership.
“I have been accused of disrespecting our Party Leader, Dr Oburu Oginga. How does calling for ‘wantam’ and ‘tutam’ proponents to come together and work as a single voice amount to disrespect?” she posed.
She reiterated her respect for Oburu’s leadership, saying: “Dr Oburu is the ODM Party Leader and everyone in ODM must respect that. I speak to him regularly as the Party Leader and as my elder brother over a variety of issues.”
However, she lamented that some individuals have sought to portray her unity campaign as a personal feud.
“I am an old woman. Where do I get the energy to fight Youth Leader? Those claiming I am fighting Dr Oburu are the real enemies of ODM. I always speak my mind because ODM is a democratic party; it doesn’t mean I am fighting anyone,” she said.
Ruth further underscored the need to strengthen youth inclusion within the party, arguing that ODM must deliberately create space for young leaders across all levels of its leadership structure.
