Kenyan Political Parties Face Leadership Changes and Internal Rifts - October 2025

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) announced Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as its new party leader, succeeding the late Raila Odinga. The party reaffirmed its commitment to the existing broad-based government arrangement until 2027. In the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale challenged the party to remove him as Senate Majority Chief Whip. This dare followed his public support for an Opposition candidate in the Malava parliamentary by-election, defying a UDA directive. Meanwhile, a significant political rift has emerged in Murang’a between Members of Parliament and Members of the County Assembly, rooted in differing allegiances within the ruling party. This conflict signals early realignments ahead of the 2027 polls.