A fresh dispute has emerged within the Orange Democratic Movement after youth wing member Kasmuel McCoure questioned the conduct of the party’s Secretary General, warning that the actions of senior officials could compromise ODM’s political direction.
McCoure made the remarks in a detailed statement shared on X, arguing that the party requires strict internal discipline as it navigates a period of transition.
Kenya’s opposition politics have often been shaped by internal cohesion within major parties, and ODM has historically relied on a clear chain of command led by its party leader.
McCoure framed his concerns around this structure, saying loyalty to the organisation’s ideological foundation remains essential for its stability.
He rooted his position in the party’s long-standing approach to centralised leadership under figures such as Dr. Oburu Oginga, whom he referenced as the custodian of ODM’s guiding principles.
In his statement, McCoure accused the Secretary General of issuing contradictory positions on the Broad-Based Arrangement, a political platform that opposition groups continue to engage with while also scrutinising government performance.
He claimed that the SG had criticised members who support ODM’s participation in the arrangement despite the party leader’s clear public endorsement of continued involvement.
McCoure also alleged that the SG had aligned himself with groups pushing the “Wantam” slogan, arguing that these engagements did not advance ODM’s institutional agenda.
He said the Secretary General had skipped some official party activities, including campaign-related work, while dedicating time to forums that appeared disconnected from ODM’s stated priorities.
McCoure maintained that such behaviour risked weakening the unity required for the party to implement its ten-point agenda.
The youth leader further claimed that the SG had circulated unverified information, including suggestions that Raila Odinga intended to withdraw ODM from the Broad-Based Arrangement in 2026.
He described these narratives as misleading and said they created confusion among party supporters. According to McCoure, the responsibility of a Secretary General is to articulate positions authorised by the party leader, not to establish an alternative political centre.
McCoure argued that ODM has experienced leaders who could assume the SG’s responsibilities if necessary, but emphasised that the priority was for officials to uphold the party’s institutional direction.
He urged ODM members to focus on policy work and legislative output instead of public theatrics and slogan-based politics.