Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang'o, has brushed off concerns over recent exits from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), saying the party remains stable and united because its strength comes from its nationwide grassroots structures rather than individual leaders.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Thursday, the legislator said the leaders who have distanced themselves from the party represent only a small fraction of ODM's elected members, adding that the vast majority continue to serve under the party both in Parliament and across the country.
"The people have left ODM because they are running a parallel outfit... and there are only seven of them, and I can easily count," he said, naming several leaders he claimed had broken ranks with the party.
Jalang'o argued that the departures should not be viewed as a serious setback for ODM, insisting that the party still commands overwhelming support within its ranks.
"If seven people left out of 87, and you have 80, you're still doing very well. It will be sad if 80 left and you left seven of you," he said.
The lawmaker also dismissed suggestions that the leaders who left played a central role in building the party, saying they joined ODM after becoming legislators and were not among those who established its foundation.
"None of them is a founder of ODM. They were legislators just like we are," he said, adding that although some held senior positions, they were not solely responsible for shaping the party.
According to Jalang'o, ODM's biggest advantage is its well-established organisational network that reaches every part of the country, from the national office to counties, constituencies and wards.
"Parties have structures," he said, explaining that every county has an ODM chairperson, deputy chairperson, youth leadership and officials all the way down to the constituency and ward levels.
Using Turkana and Nairobi as examples, he said the party's structures remain active across the country, making it difficult for ODM to be weakened by the departure of individual politicians.
"That structure alone is something that you need. That is why it's always so hard for an independent candidate to go through," he said.
Jalang'o maintained that the only development that would concern him is if the party's grassroots organisation began to weaken.
"If the ODM structures start falling, I'll be worried. But an individual? No," he said, insisting that ODM remains one of Kenya's strongest political parties because of its deep grassroots presence.
https://x.com/RadioGenKe/status/2082735270600859650?s=20
His remarks come amid growing divisions within ODM over the party's cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration through the broad-based government arrangement.
A group of leaders allied to the Linda Mwananchi movement—including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka—has openly criticized the party's current direction, arguing that ODM has drifted away from its traditional opposition role.
The Linda Mwananchi faction has held a series of rallies across the country, with Sifuna recently declaring that they are seeking a new political vehicle after their fallout with ODM leadership.
ODM leaders aligned with the party leadership have since dismissed suggestions that the defections pose a threat to the party. National Assembly Minority Leader and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed recently argued that those who have distanced themselves from ODM would eventually return, saying the party remained intact despite the emergence of the Linda Mwananchi movement.
He expressed confidence that leaders such as James Orengo and Babu Owino would ultimately find their political future in ODM, adding that the party would even organize a "homecoming party" for them when they returned.