NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has escalated his criticism of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga, warning that political pressure could soon mount against the veteran politician as rival factions battle for control and direction of the opposition party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during his tour of Nyeri, Gachagua claimed that allies of President William Ruto within ODM had questioned Oburu’s ability to lead the President’s re-election campaign and were pushing for changes in the party’s leadership.
“Yesterday, Ruto’s people in ODM told him that Oburu cannot lead his campaign because he struggles to walk. We saw the other day he could not even read his speech,” Gachagua said.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader went further, suggesting that Oburu could face pressure from sections of the President’s political camp.
“They told Ruto that there was a need to remove Oburu. So Oburu, they are coming for you, and when Riggy G tells you that your wife is pregnant, you had better buy diapers,” Gachagua said.
The claims were not independently substantiated, and Gachagua did not identify the ODM or Kenya Kwanza figures he said had raised the concerns.
Oburu’s leadership under pressure
Oburu, the elder brother of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Senator for Siaya, currently serves as ODM party leader. The party’s official leadership profile describes him as bringing decades of political experience and says his leadership provides continuity for ODM’s political vision.
His leadership has nevertheless coincided with an increasingly public contest over ODM’s political direction, particularly following Raila’s death and the subsequent emergence of competing factions within the party.
The internal contest has largely centred on the relationship between the Linda Ground camp associated with Oburu and the Linda Mwananchi faction associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders advocating a more assertive opposition position.
The dispute has also been linked to wider disagreements over ODM’s engagement with President Ruto’s administration under the broad-based government arrangement.
TIFA poll highlights ODM divisions
The depth of the division was reflected in a TIFA Research survey conducted between May 2 and May 11, 2026, involving 2,013 respondents across nine regions.
The survey found that 73 per cent of ODM supporters backed the Linda Mwananchi faction, while 24 per cent supported the Linda Ground camp associated with Oburu. Three per cent were undecided.
A later TIFA poll cited by Kenyan media showed the gap widening, with support for Linda Mwananchi rising to 74 per cent, while backing for Linda Ground fell to 20 per cent, with six per cent expressing no opinion.
The May survey also found that ODM supporters generally favoured a more independent, people-centred opposition approach rather than closer cooperation with the government. Among ODM supporters opposed to the broad-based arrangement, 90 per cent backed Linda Mwananchi, according to the survey.
The findings point to a significant political challenge for ODM as the party seeks to consolidate its support base and determine its strategy ahead of the next election.
Battle over ODM’s political direction
The leadership dispute is not limited to questions about Oburu’s age or ability to lead. It also reflects competing visions for the future of the party that Raila built over nearly two decades.
One camp favours continued engagement with the Ruto administration, arguing that cooperation provides ODM with an opportunity to influence government policy and secure development outcomes for its traditional constituencies.
The rival faction has pushed for a stronger opposition posture, warning that closer cooperation with the government could weaken ODM’s identity and alienate supporters who expect the party to hold the administration accountable.
The disagreements have also spilled into the party’s internal structures, including disputes involving Edwin Sifuna and questions over control of ODM’s political machinery.
ODM has meanwhile moved to strengthen its grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 election, with the party seeking to rebuild ward, constituency and county-level organs while preparing for nominations.
