Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana has weighed in on the growing internal divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), arguing that the faction associated with Secretary General Edwin Sifuna is unlikely to sustain momentum without clear organisation and long-term planning.
Speaking during a televised interview on Wednesday, Mungatana said political movements thrive not on enthusiasm alone, but on structure, resources and patience.
Drawing from his experience in national politics, he observed that many internal rebellions often lose steam once the initial excitement fades and the realities of mobilisation, coordination and financing set in.
The senator noted that disagreements within political parties are not unusual and frequently signal deeper debates about leadership direction and long-term strategy.
However, he cautioned that dissenting groups that fail to establish durable systems and articulate a clear roadmap rarely maintain influence for long.
He said, such factions eventually find themselves returning to the broader party structure for negotiations and compromise.
Mungatana emphasised that politics is fundamentally about inclusion and accommodation of diverse views. Successful parties, he argued, are those that create space for internal debate while safeguarding unity.
He pointed out that Kenya’s political history is dotted with splinter movements that struggled to survive without institutional backing and strong grassroots networks.
His remarks come amid heightened rivalry within ODM, particularly between the Linda Mwananchi forums linked to Sifuna and the Linda Ground consultations championed by senior party figures, including Oburu Oginga.
The parallel initiatives reflect differing perspectives on the party’s future positioning, especially as it navigates a potential transition in the post-Raila Odinga era.
Despite the visible tensions, Mungatana expressed optimism that dialogue will prevail.
He maintained that ODM’s tradition of internal engagement is likely to draw competing camps back to the negotiating table as the party reorganises ahead of the 2027 General Election.
