The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has been thrown into fresh turmoil after a group of life members, led by Rachael Tabitha, submitted a petition demanding the immediate resignation of party leader Oburu Odinga.

The petition, dated November 18, 2025, was addressed to the National Elections Board (NEB) and accused Oburu of violating the ODM Constitution, undermining internal democracy, and sidelining long-serving members. Tabitha and the life members described the situation as a dangerous departure from the party’s founding principles.

“It is deeply inappropriate for some leaders to speak with pride and boldly declare that they are legitimately in office, while the party constitution, particularly Article 6.2.2(b), has been blatantly violated,” the petition read.

It added that such conduct erodes public confidence, delegitimises party organs, and contradicts the rule of law that ODM has historically championed.

The life members outlined three key demands. First, they called for the immediate resignation of Oburu from all leadership positions.

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Second, they requested the urgent convening of a National Delegates Convention (NDC) to address what they termed a governance crisis. Third, they demanded full recognition of the rights of life members and all ODM members, including participation in decision-making processes.

The petition gave the NEB a 30-day ultimatum to act. Failure to meet these demands, the group said, would lead them to resign from the party in protest, citing loyalty to the legacy of the late party leader Raila Odinga.

Oburu was ratified as ODM party leader on November 13, 2025, by the party’s National Governing Council (NGC), following a special sitting in Mombasa ahead of the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations.

He had served as acting party leader since October 16, 2025, after Raila’s death. The NGC also ratified three deputy party leaders: Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi.

The party’s leadership transition comes amid growing tensions within the party itself. During the ODM@20 celebrations in Mombasa, Winnie Odinga, Raila’s daughter, warned that certain officials were plotting to “sell off” the party and emphasised that ODM was built through protest, struggle, and sacrifice, not secret deals.

Emboldened by the leadership uncertainties, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has also positioned himself as a potential leader within ODM. Speaking at the anniversary event, Owino warned that rising living costs, school fees, and commodity prices could drive youth protests if left unaddressed.

He criticised the party for sidelining him in leadership decisions and suggested that he could take a more prominent role in the future.