“If You Want to Leave, Leave” – Oburu Oginga Tells Restless ODM Members Amid Defection Threats

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Oginga has issued a blunt response to party members expressing intentions to quit the outfit, telling them they are free to leave if they so wish.

Speaking on Wednesday, January 14, at Kamkunji Grounds in Kibera during ODM’s first major public rally since the death of former party leader Raila Odinga, Oburu said he had no role in blocking members from exiting the party.

He stressed that ODM’s priority is unity as it positions itself for negotiations ahead of the 2027 General Election, adding that the party will not force anyone to stay.

“We must walk together, and we have no intention of removing anyone. But if someone wants to leave, they should leave peacefully,” Oburu stated.

The ODM leader emphasized that the party can only enter coalition talks from a position of strength if it remains united, warning that internal divisions could weaken its bargaining power.

His remarks come amid growing internal tension within ODM, with some leaders openly questioning the party’s direction. Recently, a group of ODM MPs led by Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga warned of a mass exit should the party attempt to expel Secretary General Edwin Sifuna over alleged party disloyalty.

At the Kibera rally, Oburu defended the decision by the party’s Central Management Committee (CMC) to initiate early coalition talks ahead of 2027. 

The resolution was reached during a meeting in Kilifi, where ODM agreed to begin pre-election negotiations, starting with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), among other political parties.

The meeting was attended by top ODM officials, including party chairperson Gladys Wanga and deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and Simba Arati.

However, the absence of key figures such as Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was noticeable, further fueling speculation about deepening cracks within the party.

Oburu has now dared dissatisfied members to make their exit official, insisting that ODM will continue pushing forward with coalition talks regardless, even as internal divisions threaten to reshape the party’s future ahead of the next elections.