Suba North MP Millie Mabona Odhiambo has defended her involvement in efforts to reconcile warring factions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), following criticism from party acting Secretary General Catherine Omanyo who accused her of avoiding taking sides in the ongoing internal disputes.
Omanyo had claimed that Millie was “sitting on the fence” as divisions widened within ODM, where rival camps linked to the Linda Mwananchi and Linda Ground alignments have increasingly shaped internal politics.
In her response, Millie said she had actively engaged senior party leaders in attempts to ease tensions and restore unity.
“I did sit with Hon Sifuna as suggested—more than once,” she said. “Together with Hon Otiende and others, we attempted diplomacy and reconciliation. I spoke to other senior party members in Linda Ground.”
She added that efforts were underway to hold further discussions before a planned ODM Central Committee meeting in Kilifi, aimed at reducing friction between the competing groups.
“We were to have a sitting before Central Committee meeting in Kilifi,” she noted.
However, Millie said the process was disrupted by an incident she linked to political hostility within the party ranks. According to her, individuals targeted Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna but ended up attacking her instead when they did not find him.
“Instead, goons came to attack Sifuna but turned their anger on me when they realized Sifuna was not there,” she said.
She further suggested that her mediation efforts had not been well received by some factions within the party.
“They and their masters were not happy that I was attempting to bring our teams together,” she said.
Millie also dismissed the criticism that she was avoiding taking a firm position in the internal split, insisting that mediation should not be mistaken for indecision.
“Let me sit on the fence so long as it is not yours. The buttocks are also mine,” she said, in a pointed remark directed at her critics.
The exchange reflects growing friction within ODM as internal alignments become more pronounced ahead of key party engagements.
The emergence of the Linda Mwananchi and Linda Ground camps has exposed differing approaches to leadership, loyalty, and internal discipline.
While some leaders have pushed for strict alignment and clear political positioning, others have advocated for dialogue and reconciliation to prevent further fragmentation within the party.
Millie has consistently positioned herself among those calling for internal engagement, arguing that unity efforts require consultation across all sides rather than rigid positioning.
Omanyo will be left with a skunk in her hands, she's the one who will look bad in all these once ODM aligns back together. She's as damb as they come, lacking in wisdom to be precise
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