The meeting held at the home of Acting Party Leader Dr. Oburu Odinga brought together key party delegates from Nyanza in what was billed as a show of unity and strength.
However the conspicuous absence of the three outspoken lawmakers quickly became the talk of the event highlighting growing ideological and strategic divisions within the party’s ranks.
Sifuna, Owino and Amisi have in recent months distinguished themselves as some of the few voices within ODM openly challenging what they term as complacency and alignment with the broad-based government.
Their critics however accuse them of undermining party cohesion and sowing discord at a critical political juncture.
Observers note that their absence from the Bondo meeting may signify an emerging split between ODM leaders who support the government’s partnership approach and those advocating for a more confrontational grassroots driven opposition stance.
As ODM continues to navigate its post handshake identity the tensions between reformist firebrands and establishment loyalists could shape the party’s future and determine whether it retains its traditional image as a movement for change or evolves into a partner within the current political order.
