Raila
Odinga Breaks Silence on ODM Infighting, Calls for Respect and Party Discipline
Nairobi, Kenya – ODM party leader Raila Odinga
has stepped in to quell rising tensions within his party, following weeks of
internal conflict triggered by differing views over ODM’s recent working
arrangement with President William Ruto.
Addressing the escalating political feud
through his spokesperson Dennis Onyango, Odinga urged members to approach
debates with decorum, emphasizing that disagreement is part of democratic
engagement, but respect must remain paramount.
The call for unity comes after two opposing
camps emerged within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), engaging in public
verbal spats over the party’s perceived alignment with the ruling
administration.
ODM Rift
Widens as Members Clash Over Alliance with Ruto
The division stems from a recent memorandum of
understanding (MoU) signed between Raila and President Ruto, outlining
cooperation on key national issues like the cost of living, youth employment,
gender inclusivity, and equitable resource distribution.
However, not all ODM members have welcomed the
alliance. A faction led by vocal figures such as Senator Edwin Sifuna, MP Babu
Owino, Governor James Orengo, and Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o continues to oppose
the pact, insisting that the government should be held accountable rather than
supported blindly.
The tensions have escalated to the point of
political threats, with some members reportedly mulling impeachment proceedings
against Orengo for refusing to endorse the partnership.
Raila
Advocates for Structured Dialogue Over Public Squabbles
Odinga, while acknowledging the existence of
differing opinions within the party, described the situation as “a natural
reflection of democracy.” He clarified that such ideological debates are not
unique to ODM and often occur in major political parties around the world.
“The party leader believes these discussions
reflect healthy internal democracy. However, he urges members to exercise
restraint and civility as they express their views,” said Dennis Onyango in a
statement.
Raila also assured members that ODM’s internal
organs will convene soon to deliberate on the party’s collective stance
regarding its engagement with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Raila
Clarifies Nature of Pact with Ruto
Amid speculation over the political
implications of the Raila-Ruto partnership, the ODM leader emphasized that the
pact is issue-based, not a signal of a political coalition for the 2027 general
elections—at least not yet.
The MoU, he said, is focused on key national
priorities: lowering the cost of living, creating jobs, enforcing the two-thirds
gender rule, promoting devolution through increased county funding, and
ensuring equal access to state resources across all regions.
“This agreement is not about 2027; it is about
solving urgent problems affecting Kenyans today,” Raila reiterated.
A Call for
Unity and National Focus
As internal debates rage on, Raila has called
on ODM leaders to put the country first and avoid unnecessary hostilities. He
emphasized that the party remains committed to serving the people and ensuring
democratic governance in Kenya.
“Let us engage one another respectfully, with
the understanding that our unity as a party is vital for the progress of our
country,” Onyango stated.
The ODM leader concluded by assuring
supporters that the party would emerge stronger, once internal consultations
are completed and a unified position is reached.
