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A faction within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) known as Linda Mwananchi has sharply criticised the progress report on the party’s 10-point reform agenda, accusing the oversight committee of failing to uphold transparency and accountability.
The faction, led by Edwin Sifuna and Godfrey Osotsi, claims the committee tasked with monitoring the implementation of the reform agenda has not provided the required progress updates to the public.
The 10-point agenda was initially agreed upon between the late ODM leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto as part of a broad-based political arrangement aimed at advancing governance reforms.
According to Sifuna, the party’s Central Management Committee was expected to submit progress reports every two months and deliver a final public report on March 7, 2026. However, he alleged that this requirement was not met.
“The agreement was clear. Progress reports were to be submitted every two months and a final report delivered to the public last Saturday. Now they are putting words in a dead man’s mouth,” Sifuna said in a statement shared on social media.
The oversight committee, chaired by Agnes Zani, was established on August 6, 2025 to monitor the implementation of the reform agenda, hold regular consultations, and present its findings to the public.
Osotsi echoed Sifuna’s concerns, saying the committee’s operations lacked openness and regular communication with Kenyans.
“The committee’s operations have lacked transparency and regular reporting as required. Kenyans have largely been treated to public relations narratives rather than clear progress reports on promised reforms,” Osotsi said in a statement.
He further warned that the core ideals of ODM risk being undermined if the reform agenda is politicised.
“ODM was founded as a people’s movement committed to democracy, justice and social reform. It would be tragic if its founding ideals were subordinated to the political interests of the regime the reforms were meant to check,” he added.
The Vihiga Senator announced that the Linda Mwananchi faction will release an independent assessment of the 10-point agenda on Wednesday, March 11, in a bid to provide what they describe as a more transparent account of the progress made so far.
The dispute comes as President Ruto recently extended the mandate of the Zani-led committee by an additional 60 days, citing the need to allow members more time to complete their work.
“The committee requested only 60 days to conclude what they are doing. They have done a great job, and it is only fair that we extend their mandate,” Ruto said during a joint parliamentary meeting between ODM and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) at State House.
The latest developments highlight growing divisions within ODM over the handling and implementation of the reform agenda that was intended to guide cooperation between the opposition and the government.
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