Wamuzi News Ke
A fierce debate is ripping through the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), threatening to divide the party’s top brass over whether to return to street protests. The internal row, playing out amid simmering national discontent, has exposed deep fractures over strategy and identity.
Rift Over Protests Threatens ODM Unity.
Veteran ODM figures are split: some argue that mobilising supporters back to the streets is the only way to pressure the government, while others fear it risks alienating moderate and national-level allies. The debate has turned urgent, with both camps trading warnings about political survival and the future of the party.
On one side, the more radical voices within ODM argue that peaceful protests remain a powerful tool to force change. They say the government is ignoring ordinary citizens, and only a visible return to mass action — beyond parliamentary debate — can deliver real accountability.In contrast, centrist leaders are pushing back hard.
They argue that protests are no longer the path forward and insist that ODM must focus on long-term political strategy, not short-term mobilisation. According to them, the party must pick its battles wisely and not risk becoming irrelevant by chasing streets when it can deliver through more formal channels.
Generational Divide and Strategic Identity Crisis.
The debate also reflects a generational divide. Younger ODM leaders and Gen Z-oriented voices within the party are more open to returning to the streets. They point to recent youth-led demonstrations and say the momentum for change still lies in grassroots action. Senior leaders, by contrast, caution that returning to protests may erode the gains ODM has made as a serious political force.
Some insiders suggest that honor for Raila Odinga’s legacy also plays a role. Critics warn that if ODM resumes protest-led activism, it risks being reduced to a regional or populist vehicle, straying away from the national, policy-focused movement the late Raila built.
What’s at Stake — And Why It Matters.
If ODM splits over this issue, the fallout could be historic. A return to protests could energize its base but may also clash with its formal power structures and allies. On the other hand, refusing to take to the streets risks alienating the grassroots who feel frustrated by government policies.For Kenya’s political landscape, the outcome matters deeply.
As ODM debates how to act, the ruling government watches closely: a reactivated street campaign could destabilize the status quo. For ordinary Kenyans, the debate raises fundamental questions: Should change come from the ballot box — or from mass mobilisation?
