A public fallout has emerged within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga traded sharp political remarks over the partyโs future and the legacy of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The disagreement followed a recent ODM leadersโ retreat in Mombasa, where senior party officials reportedly held discussions on succession politics and the direction the party should take ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking after the meeting, Ruth Odinga criticised Mbadi over comments she described as disrespectful to the Odinga family and Raila Odingaโs political legacy. She defended the familyโs long-standing role in Kenyaโs democratic struggle, saying ODM was built through years of sacrifice, detention, and political resistance.
Ruth maintained that the Odinga name should not be dismissed within the party, arguing that the family had contributed significantly to ODMโs growth into a major national movement.
Mbadi, however, insisted that ODM belongs to all members and should not be associated with any single family, region, or community. The Treasury CS said the party must focus on strengthening its national identity and preparing a new generation of leadership.
The exchange has exposed growing tensions within ODM as leaders position themselves for influence in the post-Raila political era. Analysts say the disagreement reflects deeper internal divisions over succession, party control, and the future leadership structure of the opposition outfit.
The latest fallout now adds to increasing pressure on ODM to maintain unity as political alignments begin taking shape ahead of the next election cycle.
