Raila moves to calm ODM storm over Ruto alliance

By Newsflash Writer |

Nairobi—ODM leader Raila Odinga has moved to calm growing unrest within his party over his continued cooperation with President William Ruto, as tensions mount nationally over a wave of abductions and an escalating crackdown on government critics.

In a high-stakes meeting convened today, Tuesday, 29 July, at Chungwa House, Nairobi, Raila chaired a session of the party’s Central Committee to address internal discontent, particularly over the party’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

The closed-door session was attended by key ODM leaders, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir.

The meeting came against a backdrop of public outrage over the abductions of online activists and bloggers perceived to be critical of the Kenya Kwanza government. Civil society groups and human rights organizations have accused the state of adopting increasingly repressive tactics, igniting fears that the country is slipping into authoritarianism.

Amid the growing storm, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has emerged as one of the most vocal internal critics of the partnership with Ruto. In recent weeks, Sifuna has publicly denounced the Kenya Kwanza regime as “rogue” and warned that removing President Ruto from power had become a “national priority.”

Committee backs Raila but sets new demands

Despite Sifuna’s sharp rhetoric, the ODM Central Committee today closed ranks around Raila, endorsing his strategic decision to support the Kenya Kwanza government in what they termed a bid to “stabilize the country and create an enabling environment for Kenyans to address their concerns through democratic and constitutional means.”

“While members arrived here with different viewpoints on many issues within the party and the country, the committee brokered an unbreakable unity of purpose,” the committee stated in a joint resolution released after the meeting.

The statement, signed by Sifuna himself, marked a notable softening of tone, signaling a possible compromise between Raila’s pragmatic alliance-building and the hardline stance taken by younger ODM leaders.

To address mounting frustration over the lack of tangible outcomes from the MOU, the party announced that it would immediately form a technical team to work alongside UDA counterparts. The team will be tasked with fast-tracking the implementation of the 10-point agenda agreed upon in the Raila-Ruto pact.

Top among ODM’s priorities are the full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, protection of civic spaces including the right to protest, youth empowerment, and the fight against corruption and public sector wastage.

Push for devolution

Still, the committee did not shy away from airing its grievances. While acknowledging the recent allocation of Ksh415 billion to counties as an improvement, the party insisted on pushing for at least Ksh450 billion—echoing a previous call made by Raila. The party also demanded the full devolution of functions and resources to the counties in line with the Constitution.

In a nod to growing public anxiety, the party backed calls for an inter-generational national conference, with a focus on youth and the deteriorating state of freedoms in the country. Such a move, observers say, may be aimed at repairing ODM’s public image, which has taken a hit over its perceived complicity in the government’s failings.

Notably, the meeting also reaffirmed plans to proceed with the long-awaited grassroots elections and celebrations marking ODM’s 20th anniversary. Insiders say the process is part of a wider strategy to strengthen the party’s internal structures and re-engage disillusioned supporters.