The split, which has been simmering since the death of Raila Odinga, is now spilling into public view as senior politicians challenge claims that ODM will automatically back the President for a second term.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo became the latest high-profile figure to distance himself from assertions that ODM had agreed to support President Ruto in 2027.
Speaking at a church event in his constituency, Amollo dismissed declarations by some Nyanza politicians that Raila privately endorsed Ruto before his death, calling such claims “outright lies."
He emphasized that ODM should not allow itself to lose political value by offering support without negotiations or formal agreements.
Amollo’s remarks signal his entry into the faction led by Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, who has been vocal in cautioning ODM against blindly embracing the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Sifuna insists that the party must evaluate its interests before committing to any political partnership.
Other leaders already in this camp include Winnie Odinga, the EALA MP who has repeatedly rejected efforts to brand Nyanza as fully absorbed into the government, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who has urged supporters to remain vigilant as 2027 approaches.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has also been consistent in criticizing the Government of National Unity, claiming it sidelines core ODM regions despite projecting inclusivity.
The growing list of dissenting leaders underscores the widening internal debate over ODM’s direction in a post-Raila era.
With President Ruto enjoying renewed support in Mt Kenya following his by-election victories, the ODM faction aligned with Sifuna argues that the party must renegotiate its place in national politics rather than surrender leverage without guarantees.
As 2027 draws nearer, pressure is mounting on ODM to clarify whether it stands with the government or will forge an independent path driven by its increasingly vocal internal critics.
