Mandera Deputy Governor Ali Maalim has warned that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) faces a growing risk of fragmentation along regional lines following the death of party leader Raila Odinga, citing emerging internal divisions and the rise of local political power centres.
Speaking at a local TV station on Thursday, November 6, 2025, Maalim noted that while ODM’s recent overtures toward working with President William Ruto could mark a new chapter in national politics, the party must urgently address internal cohesion to avoid an implosion similar to that of the once-powerful Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD).
“Largely and objectively, ODM is headed into partnering with William Ruto, working and forming the next government. But with Raila Odinga’s demise within ODM, we seem to be forgetting that there’s commotion. There is a rise of small regional powers across the country, Coast, Nyanza, and Western, and this is a very risky situation.”
The deputy governor warned that history could repeat itself if ODM leaders fail to manage emerging regional rivalries and personal ambitions within the party.
“If you remember, FORD was founded on the idea of changing things for the better, for the liberation of this country, but it ended up splitting into FORD-Asili and FORD-Kenya. ODM faces the same danger. Although its overall agenda and objective could be very good, there is a high risk of splitting into regional groups like ODM Coast, ODM Western, and ODM Nyanza.”
He emphasised that the party’s strength lies in its national appeal and warned that allowing regional interests to dominate would dilute its influence and undermine its founding principles.
“And so what ODM needs to focus on right now is to make sure that there is internal cohesion that should not be happening, and there are a lot of regional brokers who can really split this good party into smaller, less effective splinter groups.”
