ODM urges Ruto to honour Raila by implementing 10-point agenda

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has called on President William Ruto to honour the legacy of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga by fast-tracking the implementation of the 10-point political agenda the two leaders agreed upon in March this year.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV, ODM Deputy Party Leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said the late leader had been deeply passionate about the agreement, which sought to address key national issues ranging from governance and human rights to accountability and inclusivity.

He noted that Raila repeatedly highlighted the need to implement the agenda before his death.

“Our wish as a party and Raila kept talking about it before his death, is that those ideas in the 10-point agenda he signed be implemented. For instance, stopping abductions was very important to him, and so was the compensation of families whose members died or were injured in anti-government protests,” Osotsi said.

He added that while the government’s gesture of according the ODM leader a state funeral was commendable, a more meaningful honour would be the full implementation of the pact.

“We appreciate the state funeral you gave Baba, but we will be happier if you implement the last thing he left Kenyans,” he told President Ruto.

The 10-point agenda, signed between President Ruto and Odinga in March, revolves around the complete implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report. It focuses on enhancing devolution, promoting inclusivity, strengthening accountability and safeguarding fundamental freedoms, ideals long championed by the late opposition chief.

The pact also outlines key commitments including equitable resource allocation to counties, the fight against corruption, reforming public finance management to ensure transparency and protecting the right to peaceful protest. It also reinforces adherence to constitutional principles of integrity and ethical leadership under Chapter Six, as well as equality and inclusivity under Article 27.

It further reaffirms the right to assemble and petition the government under Article 37, a freedom that Raila often defended during demonstrations led by his movement.

Osotsi said that implementing these commitments would not only advance the democratic reforms Odinga stood for but also cement his reputation as a visionary statesman.

“Raila would be happier in heaven if the Kenyan government implemented the 10-point agenda. That would be the true continuation of his dream for a fair, united and accountable Kenya,” he said.

The senator also paid glowing tribute to the late ODM leader, describing him as a patriot who rose above ethnic and political divisions in his pursuit of justice and national cohesion.

“Raila never believed in tribalism; some of those closest to him weren’t Luo. He never held grudges, even with those who differed with him politically. Let’s respect Baba in death, just as we did when he was alive,” Osotsi said.

He urged ODM members and supporters to remain united and accord the late leader the respect he deserved.

“I know many people loved Baba, especially within the ODM party. We need to respect him in death just as we respected him when he was alive. The best way to show that respect is by taking time to mourn him, at least 30 days, the African way, to reflect on his immense contribution to our society,” he added.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• UDA-ODM deal
• Raila Ruto MoU
• ODM-UDA MoU
• ODM-UDA
• ODM urges Ruto to honour Raila by implementing 10-point agenda
• Politics

The senator further cautioned against internal divisions within the party following Raila’s death.

“We wouldn’t want to see a scenario where people start pushing and pulling now that Baba has gone. We want the party to stay together, to respect each person’s opinion, and move as one,” he said.

Osotsi, who spoke earlier during Odinga’s burial ceremony in Siaya County on Sunday, reiterated his call to President Ruto to fulfill the agreement made with the late Prime Minister.

“In March this year, Baba Raila Odinga signed an agreement, a ten-point agenda that concerns the issues affecting Kenyans. Honourable President, you have helped your elder brother, but Baba would be very happy in heaven if that ten-point agenda is fully implemented the way he wanted,” he said.

“And Baba himself had said that by March 16, next year, those ten issues should be completed. So, Mr President, I know you have the ability, I know you have the capability and power, please make Baba happy in heaven.”

Osotsi revealed that one of Raila’s final pieces of advice to the ODM leadership was to preserve unity and inclusivity within the party.

“In my private meeting with Raila Odinga, he said the ODM Party must remain strong, bring in more people, and have a strategy to gather all and scatter none,” he said.

He added that in the months preceding his death, Raila was particularly enthusiastic about grandly marking ODM’s 20th anniversary.

“Raila was enthusiastic about ODM turning 20, and I think he may have had a premonition about his death. The plan was to celebrate the anniversary for three days. There’s an irony given the 72 hours within which he wished to be buried,” Osotsi said.

ODM has since postponed its 20th anniversary celebrations, initially set for October 10–12, to allow for broader national participation. The decision, announced in a statement signed by Minority Leader Junet Mohammed and the National Assembly Chairperson, rescheduled the main event to November 14–16, 2025.

According to the statement, the expansion was approved by Odinga to enable more counties to participate in the commemoration.

“To date, the ODM@20 celebrations have been successfully hosted in Busia, Wajir, Kisii, and Narok counties. However, there remains a strong call from other regions across the country for us to extend this historic commemoration to their areas as well to enable those who cannot travel to Mombasa to be part of the fete,” read part of the statement.