This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
ODM leader Raila Odinga has been working to mend fences between two factions in his party, led by Deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya and Secretary-general Edwin Sifuna, after a fall out over the party's drive towards 2022.
The tension between the two groups had been simmering for the past three weeks, since Mr Odinga left for a medical trip in Dubai.
According to sources, Mr Odinga took time off from his medical rest to bring the leaders together and explain why their unity is key for the party's survival in western Kenya, amid tours by ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya's Moses Wetang'ula.
During the meeting, Mr Odinga reportedly told the leaders to work together, and to form a formidable force to unite the region and enhance rapid development, courtesy of his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
As a result of the meeting, the 'Mulembe Youth Movement', launched by Mr Sifuna and other young leaders, will now work with Mr Oparanya's team and be named the 'Handshake' Team.
Today, the youth team will continue with one of their programmes that had been planned earlier, at Siaka Village, West Sang'alo ward in Kanduyi Constituency, Bungoma County.
