Faith Masita
The political truce between ODM and the government has hit a legal landmine.
Senator Oburu Oginga, the elder brother of the late Raila Odinga and current ODM leader, has issued a final warning to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua: Substantiate your "state capture" claims or prepare for a high-stakes courtroom battle.
The feud, which has been simmering since Gachagua began his "United Opposition" crusade, reached a boiling point during an ODM youth convention in Nairobi. Oburu dismissed Gachagua's allegations—that ODM leaders have been "bought" by President William Ruto—as a desperate attempt to stay relevant.
"I Cannot Be Bought"
Oburu did not mince words, challenging Gachagua to provide evidence of the alleged payoffs.
"One of them has repeatedly claimed that I have been bought. I will take legal action so that he can explain, publicly, how much I was allegedly paid. I am not for sale," Oburu declared to a cheering crowd.
"The legal threat follows Gachagua’s recent weekend rally in Kiambu, where he accused senior ODM figures of betraying the wananchi to serve the interests of the Kenya Kwanza administration. Gachagua has painted the "broad-based government" as a scheme to weaken the opposition from within.
Cracks in the Orange House
While fighting Gachagua externally, Oburu is also dealing with an internal rebellion. The party is currently in a tug-of-war with Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, whom Oburu recently mocked by saying, "He is not the Pope." Despite the internal turbulence and Gachagua’s "state capture" narrative, Oburu remains defiant. He maintains that ODM’s partnership with Ruto’s UDA is a strategic masterstroke designed to ensure the party is part of the 2027 governing formation.
Why This Matters for 2027
Senator Oburu Oginga, the elder brother of the late Raila Odinga and current ODM leader, has issued a final warning to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua: Substantiate your "state capture" claims or prepare for a high-stakes courtroom battle.
The feud, which has been simmering since Gachagua began his "United Opposition" crusade, reached a boiling point during an ODM youth convention in Nairobi. Oburu dismissed Gachagua's allegations—that ODM leaders have been "bought" by President William Ruto—as a desperate attempt to stay relevant.
"I Cannot Be Bought"
Oburu did not mince words, challenging Gachagua to provide evidence of the alleged payoffs.
"One of them has repeatedly claimed that I have been bought. I will take legal action so that he can explain, publicly, how much I was allegedly paid. I am not for sale," Oburu declared to a cheering crowd.
"The legal threat follows Gachagua’s recent weekend rally in Kiambu, where he accused senior ODM figures of betraying the wananchi to serve the interests of the Kenya Kwanza administration. Gachagua has painted the "broad-based government" as a scheme to weaken the opposition from within.
Cracks in the Orange House
While fighting Gachagua externally, Oburu is also dealing with an internal rebellion. The party is currently in a tug-of-war with Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, whom Oburu recently mocked by saying, "He is not the Pope." Despite the internal turbulence and Gachagua’s "state capture" narrative, Oburu remains defiant. He maintains that ODM’s partnership with Ruto’s UDA is a strategic masterstroke designed to ensure the party is part of the 2027 governing formation.
Why This Matters for 2027
As Gachagua attempts to consolidate the opposition under his Democratic Citizens Party (DCP), the legal showdown with Oburu serves as a litmus test for the ODM-UDA marriage. If Oburu follows through with the lawsuit, it could force Gachagua to reveal his "intelligence" in a court of law, potentially reshaping the political landscape ahead of the next General Election.
