![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thefocuspaper.co.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Oburu-333-840x1024.jpeg\")
His remarks appeared directed at leaders associated with the Linda Mwanainchi movement, a faction that has openly criticized ODM\u2019s cooperation with President William Ruto\u2019s Kenya Kwanza administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oburu defended ODM\u2019s participation in the broad-based government arrangement, describing it as a strategic and carefully negotiated decision aimed at enabling the party to influence national policies, development, and security matters for the benefit of Kenyans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are here in a broad-based government in a very structured and negotiated manner with a clear vision on what we want in policies, development and peace for our people,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also dismissed political campaigns centred on the slogan \u201cRuto must go,\u201d arguing that removing an individual from office does not in itself constitute a political agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, if Ruto goes, so what? That is not our agenda. Our agenda is to get power for our people and improve the lives of Kenyans,\u201d Oburu added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, the ODM leader extended an olive branch to dissenting members, saying the party remained open to welcoming them back provided they respected party structures and abandoned acts of open rebellion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf they want to fly, they can fly. But if they want to come back to the party, we shall admit them. However, they must come back with a coiled tail. They cannot expect to start from the top again,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oburu compared ODM\u2019s political journey to the River Nile, saying the party remained focused on its long-term mission despite criticism from opponents and internal dissenters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also acknowledged the rising cost of fuel and the economic challenges facing many Kenyans, pledging that ODM leaders would engage the government in seeking relief measures, including possible reductions in taxes on petroleum products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The meeting brought together ODM delegates and grassroots leaders from across the Nyanza region as the party seeks to strengthen unity amid growing internal divisions over its political direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ODM party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga has told off his critics against perceiving him as politically weak, emphasizing that his age should not be mistaken for vulnerability or submission. Speaking during an ODM delegates\u2019 meeting for the Nyanza region held in Kisumu on Sunday, Oburu singled out disgruntled members linked to the Linda Mwanainchi faction, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":24093,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thefocuspaper.co.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ODM-1024x683.jpeg\")