According to him, “ODM ni moja” — ODM is one — and it is firmly under the leadership of Oburu Oginga.
His remarks sparked fresh debate online and in political circles. For months, there have been claims of internal divisions within ODM.
Some leaders are seen as belonging to different camps, especially as the country slowly shifts focus toward the next general election.
But Jalang’o dismissed these claims. He urged supporters not to be misled by talk of factions, insisting that the party remains united.
In the middle of his strong defense of party unity, a key question emerged: Who elected Edwin Sifuna as Secretary-General of ODM?
This question goes to the heart of how political parties operate in Kenya. The Secretary-General of a party like ODM is not chosen by the general public during national elections.
Instead, the position is filled through internal party processes. Delegates who are registered and recognized by the party gather during a National Delegates Convention (NDC).
These delegates represent different regions and branches of the party. They are the ones who vote and decide who takes up top leadership positions.
Sifuna was elected through such an internal process. This means that his mandate came from party delegates, not from a nationwide ballot.
Therefore, when leaders question his legitimacy, the answer lies within ODM’s own structures and constitution.
Jalang’o’s comments seem aimed at calming tensions and reminding members that leadership decisions follow clear procedures.
Whether or not everyone agrees with him, his message was simple: ODM has one direction and one recognized leadership.
As political temperatures rise, statements like these show that unity within parties will remain a major topic.
For now, the spotlight stays on ODM — and on whether its leaders can maintain the unity they publicly defend.
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