Kasmuel Mcoure Defends Oburu Odinga After Calls For His Resignation As ODM Party Leader
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party youth leader Kasmuel McOure has come out in fierce defence of Acting Party Leader Oburu Odinga, dismissing growing calls for his resignation and warning dissenting members against attempts to undermine the party’s authority.
In a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Kasmuel said criticism directed at Oburu was an attack on the longtime ODM leader, the late Raila Odinga’s judgment and the structures he built.
“An attack on Dr. Oburu Oginga’s leadership of the ODM is an attack on Baba’s judgement and on the party structures he carefully built over the years. Every decision Baba made regarding the future of the ODM led to Dr. Oburu’s confirmation as party leader. He remains our leader, and we shall defend him as fiercely as we defended His Excellency Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, C.G.H,” Kasmuel stated.
Kasmuel accused unnamed leaders of trying to rewrite the party’s history and undermine Oburu’s authority.
“A new faction of cunning legislators and influential actors is spending heavily to manufacture an ODM narrative, trying to change and erase his leadership. We shall recognise no other centre of authority in this party. No amount of money, bullying, or the cynical invocation of reform will move us.”
He praised Oburu for holding the party together during a delicate season.
“Let it not be forgotten that it is his wisdom that has preserved some of you within the ODM fold. He has steadied the Chungwa ship and redirected it toward inclusivity and the consolidation of gains at a time when others were issuing ultimatums and plotting their own paths. His judgment kept the house intact. Regardless of your position or your proximity to power, on matters Chungwa, focus on your work and allow our party leader to execute his mandate. That is the discipline that built this movement, and it is the discipline that will secure its future,” he stated.
Kasmuel’s remarks came hours after a group of ODM life members filed a petition demanding Oburu’s immediate resignation, accusing him of violating the party constitution and eroding internal democracy.
The petition, dated November 18 and led by ODM life member Rachael Tabitha, claims Oburu and other leaders have strayed from the values that ODM was founded on. It was addressed to the National Elections Board.
“We, the undersigned Life Members of the Orange Democratic Movement, led by Hon. Rachael Tabitha, submit this petition in exercise of our rights as loyal, dedicated, and constitutionally recognised life members of the party,” the petition read.
The members argue that ODM’s long-held principles of constitutionalism, internal democracy, transparency, accountability and protection of members’ rights are under threat.
“Today, these values stand threatened. It is with deep concern that we note actions and decisions attributed to Hon. Oburu Odinga and a select group of individuals that undermine the very principles ODM has defended for decades,” the members stated.
They accuse Oburu of disregarding due process and ignoring democratic procedures, leading to exclusion and mistrust within the party.
“It is deeply inappropriate for some leaders to speak with pride and boldly declare that they are legitimately in office while the party constitution, particularly article 6.2.2(b), has been blatantly violated. Such defiance undermines accountability, fairness and respect for due process,” the petition read.
According to the petitioners, such conduct damages public confidence and delegitimises party organs.
The life members now want Oburu to resign from all party leadership roles. They are also demanding the convening of a National Delegates Convention to address what they describe as a governance crisis, restore legality in party structures and reaffirm the rights of life members in decision-making.
The group issued a thirty-day ultimatum to the National Elections Board.
“If the above actions are not undertaken within thirty days from the date of this petition, we, the undersigned Life Members of ODM, shall tender our resignation from the party as a matter of principle in protest under the Raila school of thought against the ongoing violation of constitutional order,” they stated.
Oburu was appointed Acting Party Leader on October 16 following the death of longtime ODM leader Raila Odinga. The National Executive Committee announced that it had unanimously endorsed his elevation, with the decision taking effect immediately.
