Political analyst Kipkalya Kones has criticised the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Central Management Committee meeting held on Thursday, saying the party is losing the political weight it once commanded and drifting away from issues that defined its influence.
Kones said the Central Committee, once considered the party’s highest decision-making organ under former leader Raila Odinga, used to focus on pressing national political matters whenever it convened.
The political analyst argued that the latest meeting reflected a shift in focus towards routine internal matters rather than major national political strategy.
“Broad-based ODM held a Central Management Committee meeting today. This used to be the only organ of the party chaired by Baba himself, so whenever it met, there were elephant items on the national scene to deal with,” he said.
Kones questioned some of the resolutions issued after the meeting, especially the decision to thank the National Elections Coordinating Committee for overseeing grassroots elections.
He said the timing of the appreciation raised questions, given that the exercise had already been completed earlier.
He also criticised the party’s call to intensify popularisation efforts in its strongholds, arguing that these areas are already known ODM bases.
According to him, the move points to a lack of fresh expansion strategy at a time when political competition is tightening ahead of the 2027 elections.
Another resolution seeking greater respect from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) also drew his attention.
Kones said respect in politics is earned through performance, organisation, and voter engagement, not through public demands directed at rival parties.
He further suggested that ODM needs to reassess its leadership approach, arguing that internal decisions and direction have weakened the party’s influence over time.
In his remarks, Kones revisited the period following the death of ODM’s long-time leader Raila Odinga, saying the transition exposed internal weaknesses in decision-making and coordination.
He claimed that rapid leadership changes and internal exclusions during that period affected the party’s stability, while allowing political competitors to strengthen their structures.
He also criticised ODM’s interactions with state power, alleging that external influence shaped some of its internal decisions and public engagements, which in turn affected its independence.
ODM has, however, maintained that its recent meetings and consultations are aimed at strengthening internal structures, improving mobilisation, and preparing the party for future elections.
The debate around the party’s direction continues to grow as political formations reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 general election, with analysts divided on ODM’s current standing and future prospects.