Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has weighed in on the unfolding leadership tensions within the ODM, urging members to channel the recent turbulence into constructive debate rather than quick fixes.
His remarks come amid the party’s controversial decision to remove Secretary General Edwin Sifuna from office for publicly disagreeing with leadership on critical issues, including the party’s stance on a broad-based government and a potential pre-coalition agreement with UDA ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on social media, Senator Ledama drew on philosophy to frame the current unrest as an opportunity for renewal.
“I’ve been talking to our people on the ground. Nietzsche nailed it: ‘One must have chaos in oneself to birth a dancing star,’” he said. He stressed that expulsions or attempts at quick resolutions risked undermining the party’s long-term cohesion.
The senator encouraged ODM members to embrace the “disarray” and engage in open debates, warning that ignoring internal disagreements could lead to what he described as a state of “fractured mediocrity,” echoing Nietzsche’s concept of the “last men.”
“Ignore it? Fractured mediocrity as Nietzsche’s ‘last men.’ Seize it: ODM dances strong in Kenya’s storms,” he said.
Sifuna’s removal has sparked debate among party faithful, with some viewing it as necessary to align the party’s strategy, while others see it as stifling dissent and weakening internal democracy.
The Narok senator’s comments come at a time when ODM is seeking to consolidate its base and present a united front against rival parties.
By invoking philosophical reflection, Ledama appears to be calling for a more inclusive approach to leadership disputes, suggesting that internal challenges can, if managed effectively, strengthen the party’s appeal to voters.