Governor Wanga: Sifuna, Linda Mwananchi leaders have betrayed Raila

By  Moses Nyamori

Reporter

Nation Media Group

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Chairperson Gladys Wanga has accused Linda Mwananchi leaders of betraying the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga by fighting his broad-based government initiative.

The Homa Bay Governor said the leaders, who claim to have been close to Odinga, have joined forces with individuals who fought to exclude ODM and its support base from government.

Governor Wanga said that by working with Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, whom she accused of perpetuating politics of exclusion and tribalism, the ODM breakaway leaders had betrayed Mr Odinga in death.

Led by the Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, the breakaway team has Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonko, and his Vihiga counterpart Godfrey Osotsi, among other ODM elected MPs.

However, in a recent interview, Mr Sifuna said he believed he had kept his word to the veteran opposition leader that he would protect ODM and Raila’s legacy but had to chart his own political path after the party was hijacked and reconciliation efforts failed.

“I want Baba, whenever he is, to know that I actually kept my promise during his burial (in 2025) not to be the one to wreck his party. I believe that I tried my best to keep the party united, just as I said in Bondo,” he said. 

Governor Wanga described Odinga as a great fighter for human rights and social justice, and a believer in expanded democratic space. She likened the death of Odinga to the falling of a big tree that has been home to many birds, while admitting how the loss exposed the outfit to major ideological differences.

How did you learn of Raila's death?

I was up early, headed to Kajiado for ODM @20 celebrations when I received a call from Junet Mohamed telling me Mzee ametuacha (the old man has left us); it was indeed a really sad and dark day.

Your last conversation with him?

On October 11 (2025), I was in Mombasa for the ODM @20 football tournament and I called to update him on the progress of activities; he spoke to me for an unusually long time, giving me details on how he thought we should go about the upcoming by-elections.

How has his death affected ODM and its position ahead of 2027 polls?

Baba was ODM’s true north, uniting factor and the conscience of the party. His passing can be compared to the falling of a big tree on which many birds perched and built their nests. Birds scattered, but with time they have resettled and the ship has steadied under the leadership of our new leader Dr Oburu Oginga.

Were you and other officials prepared well enough to take over the running of the party?

No one is ever quite prepared for the departure of a leader of Baba’s stature, but Baba built and mentored many leaders very capable of running the party and indeed the country. Very few of Kenya’s senior leaders did not pass through Baba’s hands and indeed ODM

How different would things be if he was still alive?

Baba was versatile; if he were still in the picture, both Government and opposition sides would look different. He was, however, quite consistent in his ideals and the things he stood for

How would you describe his legacy?

I can summarize Baba’s Legacy in three broad areas: his fight for expanded democratic space, human rights and social justice; his fight for inclusion - by fighting for devolution, fighting for women’s inclusion, building a true national movement in ODM that became a home for minorities and marginalized groups and his patriotism and sacrifice for the nation and always putting Kenya first even when it meant setting aside his own ambitions and interests and in the face of grave injustice

What is Raila's most significant contribution to Kenya's politics and democracy?

These are many, but I would settle for his fight and midwifery of the 2010 Constitution that has fundamentally changed the governance architecture of Kenya

Critics have accused current party officials of going against Raila's values and legacy. What do you think?

Nothing could be further from the truth; the party continues to carry forward the ideals of Baba. The formation of the broad-based government in which we have stayed was led by Baba. We continue to champion his ideals, including inclusivity, support for devolution and social justice. Those who have diverted from Baba’s ideals are those who chose to dine with proponents of exclusion and tribalism, traits Baba would never associate with.

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