The rivalry between Kenya’s fractured opposition factions was on full display as leaders invoked the same legacy to reach opposite conclusions
By David Kimani
Bondo yesterday became the unlikely arena for Kenya’s sharpest current political rivalry, as the first anniversary memorial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga exposed the deepening rift between ODM and the Linda Mwananchi faction in front of the crowds gathered to honour him.
ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati warned members against abandoning the party for what he described as externally funded interests, while Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi went further, pledging that President William Ruto would sweep Siaya County in 2027. “ODM is firmly established in President William Ruto’s government,” Wandayi declared. “Those who dream of removing Ruto from power are daydreaming.”
Siaya Governor James Orengo offered a direct counter. “Baba never traded principles for political expediency,” he said, warning against arrangements designed to silence the opposition and undermine democratic accountability. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino echoed that position, arguing that Raila’s true lesson was the courage to defend justice rather than accumulate titles.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, declaring his presidential ambitions openly, pledged to put citizens first and accused unnamed colleagues on the same platform of relying on intimidation rather than persuasion.
Raila united these factions in life. His memorial confirmed that, in his absence, they are pulling in opposite directions — with an election thirteen months away.
Some of the moments as captured in pictures
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