Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has cautioned the Linda Mwananchi faction against forming a new political party, warning that such a move could split the opposition vote and benefit President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Wednesday, March 11, the DAP-K governor said the faction’s positions largely mirror those of the opposition, and creating a separate party would fragment opposition support.
“It will be a disaster because the views they are expressing are views of the opposition, and as the opposition, we want to be united. If they branch off and form another wing of the opposition, they are going to reduce our votes and inadvertently help President Ruto to get another term. I greatly discourage that kind of direction,” Natembeya said.
The governor also addressed the ongoing dynamics within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), clarifying that he is not part of the Linda Mwananchi faction. He described the faction’s actions as an internal party matter and said he and other Azimio-aligned leaders are merely observing developments.
“I have never been to any of their events. This is an internal ODM issue and how they are relating to the government. For us who remained in Azimio, we are basically innocent bystanders, viewing how the events are unfolding, we hope it ends well,” Natembeya added.
ODM has been split into two main factions: the Linda Ground faction led by Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, and the Linda Mwananchi faction, which includes youthful MPs and senators such as Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino. Other members of Linda Mwananchi include James Orengo, Richard Onyonka, Godfrey Osotsi, Anthony Kibagendi, Caleb Amisi, and Caroli Omondi.
The faction has consistently opposed the idea of ODM backing President Ruto’s re-election campaign in 2027. Despite calls from some quarters for faction members to quit ODM and form a separate party, Sifuna rejected the proposal during a Linda Mwananchi event in Nairobi on Wednesday.
“Some of you, I hear you telling me, Sifuna, leave ODM and go form another party, we are not leaving ODM. This party belongs to all of us. We have to fight for this party; let them kill us if they want, but we will remain in the party,” he stated.
The comments from Natembeya and Sifuna highlight the growing tensions within ODM and underscore the delicate balancing act the party faces as it prepares for the 2027 elections. While Natembeya urges unity to avoid fragmenting the opposition vote, the Linda Mwananchi faction maintains its commitment to internal party reform, signaling that the debate over the party’s direction is far from settled.
This evolving situation is being closely monitored by political analysts and other opposition leaders, who note that any division within ODM could significantly influence the outcome of the next general election.
