Kwale ODM Members Defect to Edwin Sifuna's Linda Mwananchi Movement Citing Oppression

A faction of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members from Kwale County has publicly renounced their affiliation with the party, pledging support to the Linda Mwananchi movement led by Nairobi Governor Edwin Sifuna.

The members, expressing dissatisfaction with what they described as oppressive leadership within ODM, accused the party of manipulation and called for political reform. Their defection was captured in a video shared by K24 on August 20, 2026, where several speakers addressed a gathering to explain their decision.

Frustration with ODM Leadership

• One member used a vivid metaphor to emphasize the inevitability of change, stating, "The time for reforms in Kenya has come... The person who will liberate us is none other than Sifuna."
• Another criticized the ODM leadership for undermining the party, saying, "You have completely killed ODM because of your actions. We, the people of the Coast, are gentle, but we do not like being oppressed."
• A third speaker highlighted the grassroots readiness of the movement, assuring that they have communicated their support to Sifuna's team and are prepared for political engagement.

Legacy and Future Plans

Speakers invoked the legacies of ODM founding leaders such as the late Raila Odinga and Siaya Governor James Orengo to justify the shift. They expressed willingness to welcome back former ODM members who left under challenging circumstances once Linda Mwananchi formalizes its party structure.

"Under the leadership of Governor James Orengo, he has held us together as youth. We say that if a father dies, a younger father-figure can lead us. We are good students of Raila Odinga, may his soul continue resting in peace," one member said.

Background on Sifuna's Break with ODM

Edwin Sifuna was recently removed as ODM secretary general following disagreements with the party leadership, particularly over ODM's alliance with President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA). After Raila Odinga's death in October 2025, Sifuna refused to endorse the alliance, leading to his ouster.

Since then, Sifuna has positioned Linda Mwananchi as a reform-focused political movement, attracting members disillusioned with ODM's current trajectory and Kenya's broader political landscape.