Mama Ida Odinga has appealed to senior officials of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to resolve their differences and uphold the wishes of the late Raila Odinga by keeping the party united, saying unity would be a service not just to the party but to the nation.
Her appeal comes amid growing internal tensions within ODM following a public fallout between ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and the party’s Director of Elections and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed over the handling of campaign funds during Raila Odinga’s unsuccessful 2022 presidential bid.
ODM Cracks Emerge in Post-Raila Era
Over the past few days, the dispute between Sifuna and Junet has played out publicly, exposing simmering divisions within ODM in the post-Raila leadership era.
The spat has reignited debate over accountability during the 2022 campaign and raised concerns about the party’s cohesion without its long-time leader.
Mama Ida’s Emotional Appeal on Raila’s Birthday
Speaking on Wednesday in Karen while marking what would have been Raila Odinga’s 81st birthday, Mama Ida urged ODM’s top leadership to reflect deeply on the party’s future and Raila’s vision.
“It is my wish that we can preserve the party in his honour as a matter of service to the country,” she said.
“I appeal to those he left in leadership to reflect deeply and sincerely on his dreams for the party and our country.”
She encouraged leaders to set aside personal differences and embrace dialogue — a principle Raila consistently championed.
“Let us support the problems of the party by asking ourselves what Baba would do,” she added.
“Baba would tell us, let us sit down and talk — and that is my wish: to talk about our differences.”
Raila’s Leadership Style: Consultation First
Mama Ida reminded ODM leaders that Raila ran the party through constant consultation, both with party officials and ordinary Kenyans, before making key decisions.
She underscored Raila’s deep attachment to ODM, describing it as one of his greatest loves.
“Baba had another love — ODM,” she said.
“I thank the party and staff who served Baba in life and in death.”
According to Mama Ida, Raila led ODM with dedication, firmness, and fairness, always guided by the will of the people.
“He ran ODM on the principle of constant consultation and always referring to the people,” she noted.
Sifuna–Junet Dispute Over 2022 Campaign Funds
The rift between Sifuna and Junet became public during the burial of the mother of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya.
At the event, Sifuna accused Junet of allegedly pocketing campaign funds provided by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, instead of paying polling agents — a failure Sifuna claimed contributed to Raila’s defeat in key battlegrounds.
Junet strongly denied the allegations, countering that the funds were distributed within Uhuru’s inner circle and that Sifuna himself allegedly received part of the money.
Party Divisions and Leadership Scrutiny
The fallout split ODM members into rival camps, with leaders and supporters taking sides and trading accusations publicly.
Sifuna’s conduct later came under scrutiny when Migori Senator Eddy Oketch sought his removal from the party leadership over alleged gross misconduct.
However, Oketch later withdrew the motion, saying he chose to honour Raila Odinga’s long-held belief that dialogue, not confrontation, is the best way to resolve disputes.
A Call for Calm and Unity
Mama Ida’s appeal now places pressure on ODM leaders to cool tensions, restore trust, and steer the party forward in line with Raila Odinga’s legacy of unity, consultation, and dialogue.
