ODM to Hold Emergency Meeting as Internal Rift Widens Over Raila-Ruto Deal
Nairobi, Kenya
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is gearing up for a high-stakes crisis meeting aimed at ironing out conflicting positions within the party following a growing rift over the perceived alliance between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
This planned gathering, expected to take place before the end of April, will bring together ODM's top decision-making bodies. The meeting is intended to resolve escalating tensions and define a unified party stance on the emerging political détente.
Confusion and Clashing Views Prompt Urgent Dialogue
A senior ODM official, speaking to The Star, confirmed the urgency of the gathering: “We need to put everything in black and white. The current mixed messaging is not healthy for our party.”
The move follows controversial remarks made by Siaya Governor James Orengo, who openly criticized ODM leaders for aligning too closely with the Ruto administration. Orengo labeled the party’s involvement in the so-called “broad-based government” as veering into sycophancy, sparking outrage among some leaders and support from others.
Raila Responds to Party Tensions, Urges Restraint
Raila Odinga, through his spokesperson Dennis Onyango, acknowledged the ongoing internal disagreements and confirmed plans for an upcoming party consultative session.
“At the appropriate time, the relevant organs of the party will harmonise the diverse views and chart a way forward,” Onyango stated. He appealed for calm and mutual respect as ODM leaders engage in dialogue, emphasizing the need for decorum and civility.
Orengo’s Remarks Ignite Debate Over Loyalty vs. Sycophancy
The fault lines deepened during the funeral of Raila’s long-serving bodyguard, George Oduor, where Orengo said, “I cannot be a praise-singer. We fought for a democratic constitution where people should speak freely.” President Ruto, who attended the event, did not respond directly.
In contrast, Homabay Senator Moses Kajwang’ supported the government partnership but defended Orengo’s right to dissent. “We support the broad-based government because Kenya comes first, but in that support, let us be patriots—not sycophants,” he said during another funeral in Migori.
Community Reactions and Political Implications
Some professionals and ODM loyalists have demanded that Orengo publicly apologize for embarrassing Raila in the presence of the President. Others insist that his sentiments are reflective of broader grassroots concerns about the direction of the party.
This internal storm comes as Raila continues to take a more collaborative stance with President Ruto, a former rival, in what some interpret as a strategic shift toward national unity—while others fear it compromises the party’s ideological independence.
As the ODM crisis meeting looms, all eyes are on whether the party will manage to maintain internal cohesion or face deeper fragmentation in the lead-up to future political realignments.
