Editor’s note: In this opinion piece, K’Obunga Moses Tisa looks at ways in which the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) should reinvent itself, post-Raila Odinga. This message is particularly important for the Orange party, which is going through turbulent times following the death of its founder and leader, Raila Odinga, in September 2025.
Rebranding, rethinking, and repackaging its political strategy is no longer optional but necessary if the party is to remain relevant. Zoning arrangements alone are insufficient, and political chest-thumping does little to reinforce credibility or sustain long-term influence. These approaches may serve short-term internal interests, but they do not strengthen the party’s national standing.
ODM must return to its roots by speaking boldly and consistently about the issues affecting ordinary Kenyans. That is the foundation on which the party was built, and it is what gave it legitimacy in the first place. When the party clearly articulates the struggles of households, the pressures of the cost of living, unemployment, taxation, and governance failures, it reconnects with the base that once defined its strength.
At the same time, those who have failed to demonstrate transparency and accountability in the management of public resources should not position themselves as the moral voice of the party. ODM’s identity was shaped by the struggle for accountability and good governance, and that legacy must not be diluted or compromised by inconsistency in practice or perception.
Why ODM should rethink its relationship with UDA
The party should move away from constant confrontational rhetoric directed at the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Instead of threats and political hostility, ODM should focus on presenting clear, issue-based alternatives that speak to the needs and aspirations of Kenyans, or it risks losing its distinct political identity and relevance.
Beyond these immediate concerns, the deeper challenge for ODM is organisational discipline. The party has to decide whether it wants to function as a movement anchored in ideas or as a coalition vehicle that mainly responds to shifting elite interests. Without clarity on this, even the strongest messaging reforms will struggle to hold together over time.
There is also the question of generational renewal. A party that once thrived on mobilising energy from the grassroots cannot afford to appear disconnected from younger voters who are increasingly shaped by economic frustration, digital political engagement, and scepticism toward traditional political structures. Rebuilding that bridge requires more than slogans; it requires visible investment in new leadership voices and consistent policy articulation.
What is the way forward for the ODM party?
Equally important is the need to separate strategy from reaction. Much of the current political communication cycle between ODM and UDA tends to be reactive, shaped by what the other side has said or done. A more sustainable approach would be to set an independent agenda that forces other actors to respond to ODM’s priorities rather than the reverse.
Ultimately, ODM’s long-term relevance will depend on whether it can rebuild trust not just through opposition but through coherence – coherence in messaging, in leadership conduct, and in policy direction. If it manages that alignment, it can remain a defining force in Kenyan politics; if not, it risks becoming increasingly episodic in influence, powerful in moments, but less decisive in direction.
The author is K’Obunga Moses Tisa, a political analyst. Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not represent the editorial position of News Nine.
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