The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has stepped up efforts to consolidate its support in Turkana and other traditional strongholds ahead of the 2027 General Election, as the party navigates defections and disagreements over its political direction.
The mobilisation drive comes ahead of a major ODM rally scheduled for October 31, 2026, at Jacaranda Grounds in Embakasi East, Nairobi. The event is expected to conclude a month of activities honouring the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Senior ODM leaders have been conducting a three-day tour of Turkana following Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai's reported defection to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
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The delegation includes ODM National Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati, Turkana South MP Dr John Ariko Namoit and Turkana North MP Shariff Naibun.
The team is also campaigning for ODM candidates Stephen Lochilil, popularly known as Obiro, in Lakezone Ward and Mohamed Yusuf in Nanaam Ward ahead of the respective by-elections.
The Turkana campaign forms part of the party's broader efforts to strengthen grassroots networks and mobilise supporters ahead of the next general election.
Raila Odinga Junior has joined the campaign, urging party members to remain united despite disagreements over ODM's political direction.
Speaking in Turkana North on Friday, Junior criticised members who had left the party, arguing that their departure risked weakening the movement.
He described ODM as a national political organisation that had helped Kenya move away from tribal divisions and introduced devolution as a key feature of governance.
“This party is the one that brought devolution, and it is the one that made us move away from tribalism. This party is not for one tribe. It is a party for all of us, and we have no big or small tribe. Our tribe is ODM,” he said.
“Those who have left here want to take us backwards. But we have said that we must continue moving forward.”
Junior's remarks come as ODM faces disagreements over its cooperation with President William Ruto's administration and the party's strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party's internal tensions have drawn attention to the emergence of the Linda Mwananchi faction, associated with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders critical of ODM's broad-based cooperation with the government.
Sifuna and his allies held a major rally at Jacaranda Grounds on September 13, 2026, attracting large crowds as the movement sought to mobilise support in Nairobi ahead of the next election. The event highlighted competition for influence in a city long associated with opposition politics.
The rally was attended by several political figures, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo. Speakers raised concerns about economic hardships, government policies and the direction of national leadership.
The gathering placed renewed focus on ODM's ability to retain support among voters who have traditionally backed the party and its late leader.
Sifuna has publicly criticised aspects of ODM's cooperation with the government, while other party leaders have continued to defend engagement with the administration as part of their political strategy.
These competing positions have exposed differences over the party's future direction as political formations begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
ODM's planned October 31 rally at Jacaranda Grounds carries added political significance because the same venue hosted the September gathering led by Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi movement.
The party has announced the rally as the culmination of its October commemorations of Raila Odinga, with leaders expected to use the event to address supporters and reinforce the party's political message.
The venue has long been associated with political mobilisation in Nairobi's Eastlands, making it an important setting for parties and movements seeking to demonstrate their grassroots support.
ODM's preparations include efforts to mobilise supporters across Nairobi's 17 constituencies. Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang'o, is among the leaders involved in the party's city mobilisation efforts.
The campaign comes amid growing competition among political groups seeking to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 polls.
In Turkana, the party's campaign is also focused on the upcoming ward by-elections, with leaders backing Stephen Lochilil in Lakezone Ward and Mohamed Yusuf in Nanaam Ward.
The campaign provides ODM with an opportunity to engage local supporters while addressing concerns arising from the governor's reported departure from the party.
The outcome of the by-elections and the reception of the party's mobilisation efforts will offer further indications of its local support, although they will not alone determine its national standing.
As the October 31 rally approaches, ODM leaders are seeking to reinforce party unity, strengthen local networks and clarify their political direction amid internal disagreements and preparations for the 2027 General Election.
