In a recent social media post, Kaluma, a vocal commentator aligned with certain party factions, alleged that the ODM would officially "release" key figures, James Orengo, Babu Owino, Edwin Sifuna, and Geoffrey Osotsi to align with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during the event.
Kaluma asserted that these individuals had effectively joined Gachagua's camp long before the passing of party icon Raila Odinga, referring to him as "Baba.".....To Read More CLICK HERE
In a statement that has since gone viral on social media, Kaluma wrote:
“On March 27, 2026, we, the ODM Party, will officially release James Orengo, Babu Owino, Edwin Sifuna and Osotsi to their Gachagua. These guys joined him long before Raila Odinga passed on, wakora Luwere!”
The outspoken MP accused the four leader Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi — of having already defected in spirit by aligning with Gachagua even before the death of party icon Raila Odinga.
Factional Firestorm Ahead of March 27
Kaluma’s remarks come at a time when ODM is split into two hostile camps:
The Oburu Oginga-led faction (now the dominant “Linda Ground” group), which controls the National Executive Committee and is pushing ahead with the official NDC on March 27.
The rival Linda Mwananchi faction led by Orengo, Sifuna, Babu Owino and Osotsi, which has announced a parallel “People’s National Delegates Convention” on the same day, accusing the Oburu side of illegitimacy, delegate manipulation and turning ODM into an “extension of UDA”.
The Linda Mwananchi group insists it is fighting to protect Raila Odinga’s legacy and the party’s original ideology. Orengo has already declared: “On March 27, we are holding a people’s national delegates convention here in Nairobi.”
Tribunal Ruling Looms as NDC Approaches
Complicating matters further, the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) is set to deliver a landmark ruling on March 26 just 24 hours before the NDC on the legality of the current ODM leadership and whether the March 27 convention can proceed.
A petition by a party life member challenges Oburu Oginga’s installation as acting leader and the sacking of Sifuna as Secretary-General.
Main Camp Fires Back.
Leaders aligned with the official NDC have dismissed the rebel plans as “inconsequential”.
Homa Bay Governor and ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga stated firmly:
“There will only be one National Delegates Convention of the ODM party on March 27 at Jamhuri Grounds. ODM is an institution that has existed for 21 years, and there is a clear constitutional process.”
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed went further, warning the Orengo-led group: “The people opposing ODM out there are individuals who have destroyed other parties before… This party was left to us by Baba. Nobody will be allowed to destroy it. If anyone has an issue, they should come to the NDC and face us there.”
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