ODM divided on Raila’s ‘marriage’ with Ruto

By Newsflash Writer

ODM party leaders are facing internal divisions on how to approach their relationship with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government.

During a burial ceremony in Rarieda, Siaya County, on Saturday, several party members voiced their disapproval of openly praising Ruto in exchange for development support. They argued that it is time for the government to serve all Kenyans equally, without favoritism.

Siaya Governor James Orengo and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna were among those who sharply criticized the praise being directed at Ruto, contrasting it with discontent from other ODM leaders like Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who highlighted fractures within the party.

The leaders were attending the funeral of Raila Odinga’s longtime bodyguard, George Odour. In his address, Sifuna said that the Kenya Kwanza administration has failed to honor its promise to include the opposition in government. He expressed frustration over the lack of progress on agreements made during earlier bipartisan talks.

ODM has suffered financially

Sifuna noted that ODM has suffered financially, with their funding from the Registrar of Political Parties slashed by Sh400 million last year—an action he termed a violation of their constitutional rights as a legally registered party.

Governor Orengo, known for his candidness, cautioned that the country risks being led astray by leaders who continuously applaud the government without accountability. He urged Kenyans to speak truth to power instead of blindly following the leadership.

“If we continue to engage in empty praise, the country will fail,” Orengo said. “We need to tell our leaders the truth, stand up for our rights, and push for real change.”

Although dressed in matching khaki outfits, Orengo and Ruto had differing tones. Ruto emphasized that Kenya is now on the right development track and highlighted the government’s commitment to service delivery. He cited a Sh60 billion investment in road infrastructure over the past two weeks as proof of progress.

Read more: Is Raila starting to dump Ruto?

Orengo, however, insisted that Kenya must avoid a culture where political leaders are celebrated without question. He argued that the only path to a better country is through honest engagement and standing up for citizens’ rights.

At the event, Ruto acknowledged Raila’s past contributions to Kenya’s political development, describing him as a partner in past struggles. The President credited Raila for supporting major reforms and emphasized the need for continued development, especially in education and infrastructure.

Despite these remarks, Orengo held firm, saying that unity and national progress cannot be built on false praise or opportunism. He reiterated that only by holding leaders accountable can Kenya achieve true progress.