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| Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo |
The Orange Democratic Movement has been thrust into another public quarrel after Matungu Member of Parliament Peter Nabulindo announced that he may walk away from the party if its leadership abandons its working relationship with President William Ruto’s administration.
His warning, delivered during a meeting with constituents on November 20, has stirred new debate over the party’s direction and deepened questions about internal unity at a moment when ODM is still adjusting to life after the passing of former party leader Raila Odinga.
Nabulindo reminded his audience that Raila had personally guided the party into what he called a broad-based arrangement, a political understanding meant to ease tensions and keep national priorities moving.
He argued that it would be dishonest for ODM leaders to withdraw from this cooperation now, especially when the initial decision had come from the party’s founder.
He stated that if the current leadership chooses to cut ties with the government, they should be prepared to proceed without him.
His message was measured in tone but firm in substance. He stressed that his decision to support the broad-based government was not an act of betrayal, but a continuation of a course set by the late Prime Minister.
He urged ODM leaders to respect that history, rather than drag the party into abrupt reversals that could fracture its support base. To him, the party’s credibility depends on consistency, not dramatic shifts aimed at reviving past political battles.
Nabulindo also used his address to challenge some of his party colleagues over what he described as attempts to reignite nationwide protests.
He questioned the reasoning behind renewed calls for demonstrations, saying the country had moved beyond the era when maandamano seemed like the only available avenue for political expression.
He insisted that residents of Western Kenya had no intention of returning to a confrontational path when, in his view, the current government had made progress in several areas during its three years in office.
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| Embakasi East MP Babu Owino |
He cited affordable housing projects and improvements in water and electricity access, saying these developments were already visible in parts of the country.
His criticism was pointed but directed more at the strategy than at individuals. He warned that repeated agitation for street protests would not solve political disagreements and would only place ODM in a weaker position.
According to him, the broad-based approach offers a more stable path forward, and the push to abandon it seems driven by motivations that have not been clearly explained to party members or the public.
He went further to say that if the ODM leadership ultimately chooses to rejoin the opposition ahead of the next general election, he would have no option but to leave the party.
He maintained that Western leaders had resolved to remain in cooperation with the government, and any attempts to steer the party back to a combative stance would only alienate regions that prefer a more practical approach to national politics.
He added that if leaders from Nyanza choose to head back to the streets, they would be doing so on their own, without the support of those who have committed to stability and development.
Nabulindo’s warning comes during a period of heightened tension within ODM. Several members have voiced dissatisfaction with the party’s continued engagement with the government.
Among the most vocal critics has been Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who has argued that maintaining close ties with the administration risks weakening the party’s character and influence. He has repeatedly cautioned that ODM could lose its identity if it does not reposition itself ahead of future political contests.
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| ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga |
The disagreement reflects a broader struggle within the party as it tries to define its future after a major transition in leadership.
While some members believe that cooperation with the government is necessary to safeguard national stability and maintain relevance, others feel that ODM’s strength has always come from its role as a watchdog and a defender of public interests.
These differences have grown more visible in recent months, and Nabulindo’s statement has added fresh urgency to the debate.
As ODM prepares for a new phase under the leadership of Oburu Odinga, the party faces the challenge of balancing inherited commitments with emerging political realities.
Nabulindo’s remarks have revealed how delicate that balance has become. Whether his warning leads to internal dialogue or deepens divisions remains to be seen, but it is clear that the choices ODM makes in the coming months will shape not only its unity, but also its place in Kenya’s shifting political landscape.
