Ruth Odinga: ODM cannot be led by a few who think they own it

Raila Odinga’s younger sister, Ruth Odinga, has warned individuals attempting to fragment the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), insisting that the party must remain strong and united.

Addressing mourners on Sunday at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo, Ruth recalled her brother’s final instructions, highlighting the need for a cohesive and inclusive party.

“That evening, what you said about our party must remain. You told me that we must be united and be strong. And if it is not strong, it must unite. You cannot have one ODM being led by some people, another left with a few who think they own the party. ODM belongs to all of us, and to those who want to take it from us, you do not know how ODM was founded. We will go to any negotiation table as a strong ODM party,” she said.

Raila’s passing has triggered looming supremacy battles within ODM, leaving Kenya at a historic political crossroads.

Recently, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi reaffirmed ODM’s commitment to working with President William Ruto’s administration, saying the party will continue to support the government “till the end and beyond 2027.”

Speaking at Raila Odinga’s rural home in Bondo, Siaya County, Wandayi noted that the late leader had intentionally positioned his followers within Ruto’s broad-based government.

“I want to affirm that Baba has left us as a people in government led by President Ruto, and that is where we are going to stay till the end. I can dare say with no fear of contradiction that we shall walk step by step with President Ruto to the end, now and beyond 2027,” Wandayi said.

The CS also praised the party’s decision to appoint Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga as acting party leader, describing it as “wise and timely.”

“ODM, which is the party I belong to and everyone here belongs to, has made a very wise decision to appoint Dr Oburu Odinga as party leader. In fact, I will be proposing as a life member of ODM that it convenes very quickly after Baba’s sendoff, the National Delegates Convention, to confirm Dr Oburu’s appointment and formally elect him as the party leader,” Wandayi added.

He expressed confidence in Oburu’s ability to steer ODM while maintaining close collaboration with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) under President Ruto.

“We believe Oburu has the experience and the composure to steer this party into the next level while working closely with our partners in the broad-based government, which is UDA led by President Ruto,” Wandayi said, assuring ODM supporters that the party remains united and that the Nyanza region will continue to rally behind the new leadership.

“I want to remove any doubt whatsoever from whosoever’s mind that this region is going to remain intact within ODM and is going to get leadership and direction from the party leader, Oburu,” he said.

Wandayi further thanked President Ruto for according Raila Odinga a State funeral, noting that even Kenya’s first Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, was not given similar recognition after he died in 1994.

“I want to thank the President in a very big way for proclaiming to accord Raila Odinga a state funeral, with full military honours, because he has simply used his discretion as the Commander-in-Chief. Even Jaramogi Oginga, who was the first Vice President, was never accorded such,” he said.

Other Topics To Read

• RAILA
• ODM
• Raila Odinga
• Raila Odinga dead
• Raila Odinga burial
• Raila Odinga tribute
• Ruth Odinga
• Ruth Odinga: ODM cannot be led by a few who think they own it
• Headlines