Former Migori County Governor Okoth Obado has launched a blistering attack on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), urging local residents and leaders to take a bold step and abandon the party. 

Speaking during the burial ceremony of the late Chief John Ojwang Olem, Obado seized the platform to challenge the crowd and the political leaders in attendance on their continued allegiance to the party, which he declared is on its deathbed.

During his address, the former county boss directly questioned the mourners on whether they were ready to transition away from ODM, a move widely seen as a calculated challenge to the pro-ODM politicians present at the funeral.

Obado warned that those clinging to the party are in for a devastating political heartbreak.

The former county chief declared that loyalists would be “washed” so thoroughly with soap and bleach (Jick) that they would lose even the strength to speak out.

 “Jogi oseloso sabun, omo kod jik, ibiro luoku yakutosa makata dhou biro moko, anto awachonu,”They have already put strategies in place. You will be betrayed,” Obado warned.

This is not the first time the former governor has forecast the demise of the political outfit. Last year, during a widows’ empowerment program held in Uriri, Obado openly declared ODM a “dead party,” insisting that the region must stop clinging to an outfit that no longer serves its interests.

Divided house

Obado’s renewed onslaught comes as ODM experiences its most turbulent chapter yet.

Following the death of its long-time leader and progenitor, Raila Odinga, in October 2025, the party has fractured into two warring camps battling for the soul and future direction of the movement:

The “Linda Ground” Faction,led by newly ratified ODM Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga and party Chairperson Gladys Wanga.

This dominant faction advocates for total cooperation with the ruling regime, pushing the narrative that partnering with the government is the only way to secure development and protect devolution.

The “Linda Mwananchi” (Rebel) Faction,led by former Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna,a wing vehemently opposes the merger, arguing that aligning with the ruling party will completely erode ODM’s national footprint, reduce it to a regional “Luo party,” and leave it entirely dependent on President William Ruto’s goodwill. 

The internal friction reached a boiling point in February 2026 when Sifuna was ousted from his Secretary-General position in absentia during a National Delegates Convention.

At the heart of this bitter civil war is the controversial “broad-based government”.

Following Raila’s passing, several ODM leaders crossed over to take up prominent cabinet positions and form an alliance with President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

While the “Linda Ground” faction has attempted to formalize a pre-election coalition with UDA, negotiations have hit a massive roadblock over “zoning”.

ODM is demanding that UDA refrain from fielding candidates in traditional ODM strongholds like Nyanza and the Coast, a demand that UDA’s leadership has flatly rejected.

By exploiting these widening cracks and the deep public uncertainty surrounding the broad-based government, Obado is positioning himself to steer Migori County away from its historical ODM alignment.

With the party divided and its grassroots support base anxious over its future, the former governor’s warning of a “severe political wash” is finding a receptive audience among voters tired of the ongoing political theatrics.