CS Wahome: ODM members saying they’re not in government are confused

Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome./SCREENGRAB

Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has sharply criticised ODM members who continue to assert that the party is not part of the government.

Wahome said it was absurd some ODM members insist they are not in government despite recent high-level appointments and a cooperation agreement with the ruling coalition.

Speaking during a government function on Monday, Wahome dismissed claims by ODM officials, including its Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, that the party remains in the opposition. 

She called the stance contradictory and politically dishonest.

“Our friends whom we have teamed up with to form a broad-based government—some of them are confused because they have never been in government,” Wahome remarked. “This is their first time, and that is only because President William Ruto agreed to share government with the Opposition.”

Wahome emphasised that ODM, through its Cabinet Secretaries and key appointments, is now part of the governing structure under the Kenya Kwanza-led administration.

“Some are saying they are CSs but they are not in government—you cannot have your cake and eat it,” she said. “It is not possible for ODM to say they are not in government. That is not understandable.”

Her remarks come amid a growing public debate over the political positioning of ODM following the March 7, 2025, memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between President William Ruto and ODM party leader Raila Odinga.

The deal, inked at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), outlined a framework for political cooperation aimed at tackling national challenges, including corruption, public debt, and economic instability.

Despite this, ODM has maintained that it is not formally part of the government. Speaking during the funeral of the late Kasipul MP Charles Were in Oyugis, Homa Bay County, on May 10, Sifuna insisted that the party remains in the opposition.

“Our involvement in advisory roles and public appointments does not mean we are part of government,” Sifuna stated, underscoring ODM’s stance that their collaboration is issue-based rather than a full merger into the ruling coalition.  

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has heightened the speculations of a secret card after he publicly disowned his allies, including his own brother, over the nature of his deal with President William Ruto.

On Saturday, Raila publicly denied claims, including from his brother Oburu Odinga, that his ODM party was in government.

"Oburu is just making empty rhetoric.  I am not in government; I am outside government. Let them talk,” Raila fired, fueling confusion on his political game plan.

Behind the scenes, sources now say, the veteran leader could be playing a high-stakes game of political poker—holding a hidden ace that could tip the balance in his favour.

Many believe Raila’s secret card may yet decide who holds the winning hand.

Tellingly, the ODM boss has been siding with his firebrand secretary general, Edwin Sifuna, and Siaya Governor James Orengo who have not only rubbished the broad-based arrangement but also declared they do not recognise it.

The Saturday’s remarks appears to be buttressing claims the ODM leader could be working on a secret card and could abandon Ruto and either contest in 2027 or back another candidate.

Speaking in Migori on Friday, Sifuna challenged Raila’s presidential bid in 2027 if the broad-based government is genuine.

“I don’t recognise that broad-based government, but if you people confess that Ruto had to go for Raila to help him run the government, then let Ruto step down in 2027 and support Raila,” Sifuna said during a funds drive to support boda boda riders.

But in Siaya, ODM leaders, led by Oburu, drummed up support for the broad-based government, which they noted will help in resource distribution to the marginalised areas.

The burial was also attended by MP Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), Budget Committee chairperson Sam Atandi (Alego Usonga) and Babu Owino (Embakasi East).

Oburu said their participation in what he described as a broad-based government, is about service delivery.

He appeared to defend the party’s involvement in government affairs, saying the country needs truth and openness to progress not political wrangling.

“A country cannot be built on chaos. It is built on truth. If something is wrong, we say it. If something is right, we also say it,” Oburu told mourners.

The senator said he sees no contradiction in ODM members working with the government, especially if it benefits their people.

"We recently joined the broad-based government. At the same time giving our best people to work with the government and we are all there in a broad-based arrangement," he said.

Oburu further urged for peace and tolerance, saying leaders should focus on the interests of the people rather than political competition.

“Let those with contrary opinions continue where they are. We were also there before, and we know more than them. Let us also continue with what we deem fit,” he said.

He said elected leaders have a duty to represent their people and seek development resources on their behalf.

“When we represent our people, we can’t all scramble for positions. We were elected to do that on their behalf, and we must not shy away from looking for resources for our area,” Oburu said.

He also lauded recent developments that have seen leaders from the Nyanza region take up key government positions, including the Cabinet Secretary for Finance(John Mbadi) hailing from Gwassi and Atandi chairing the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee.