Broad-based implosion: Why Raila team is no longer at ease

RECENT political blunders, mysterious abductions and extrajudicial executions have unsettled former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s camp, with senior ODM leaders now openly questioning the political pact with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

There are rising concerns within ODM that the Orange party will inherit the UDA baggage in the 2027 contest.

President William Ruto and the veteran opposition leader signed a 10-point agreement in March that, among others, outlawed abductions and extrajudicial killings.

ODM, which has largely remained measured in its response to the Ruto regime in the face of the piling human rights abuses, is increasingly becoming vocal and publicly calling out Ruto’s administration.

The new development could complicate Ruto’s strategy of maintaining a friendly opposition as he plots for his 2027 reelection.

The unease intensified following the death of social media influencer Albert Ojwang’ in police custody at Nairobi’s Central police station on June 8.

Ojwang's arrest followed a now-familiar pattern of anti-government critics being abducted, held for days incommunicado and then released after days of torture.

Amid the public outrage over Ojwang, the police showed their true colours during  Tuesday's demonstrations in Nairobi, where police shot at close range an unarmed 22-year-old hawker.

ODM national chairman Gladys Wanga on Wednesday lifted the lid on what appears to be growing tension in the UDA—ODM marriage.

In a hard hitting statement, Wanga warned of a return to state repression reminiscent of Kenya’s darkest political chapters which, she noted, ODM is not party to.

“Our support for the broad-based government does not extend to the extrajudicial killing and police brutality. We draw the line on extrajudicial executions; illegal and unconstitutional repression is not part of the agreement,” Wanga protested.

“The ODM-UDA agreement explicitly prohibits extrajudicial killing. We are holding the broad-based government to this commitment.”

Wanga’s protest comes days after the party spokesman Edwin Sifuna and ODM deputy party leader Godffrey Osotsi unleashed salvos at the political deal, with the Nairobi senator declaring the MoU dead.

Sifuna argued that the consistent and intentional breach of the 10-point areas the two parties signed has killed the MoU.

“Personally as Sifuna, if you ask me about the MoU we signed with UDA, it is of no use, it is not effective,” he said during a burial ceremony on Saturday.

According to the ODM secretary general, the agreement between UDA and the opposition outfit is irredeemable.

“Where we have reached, it doesn’t matter what Ruto does, that agreement is dead. The only way to breathe life to that MoU is to bring back to life Albert and other youths.”

ODM executive director Oduor Ong’wen in an interview with the Star last week said the reemerging extrajudicial killings are a ‘great concern’ to the party, which signed an MoU with the ruling UDA.

“It is of a great concern. Our MPs had a press conference where they talked about it. Our youths also condemned it. Those are things you don’t mention with ODM in the same sentence,” Ong’wen told the Star on phone.

This is the first time the ODM top guns are publicly raising reservations on their working with Ruto’s UDA, threatening to erode trust and morale in the broad-based government.

The simmering unease is seen as a major political headache for both Raila and Ruto, who have invested in projecting their truce as a unifying force ahead of 2027 elections.

Yesterday, more ODM leaders continued to voice criticism of the administration’s excesses, straining further the now fragile political deal.

Migori Senator Eddy Oketch warned that the use of force against innocent Kenyans only serves to erode public trust.

“We are a country of laws. We are a nation of norms. There is a line we must draw. Those tasked to protect Kenyans cannot turn their weapons on civilians,” Oketch said.

“It is not just human rights violation; it is a betrayal of public trust and our democratic ideals.”

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who visited the victims of Tuesday’s police brutality at Kenyatta National Hospital, said the buck stops with the President.

“I call upon President William Ruto to take full responsibility for these atrocities. The blood of these young men and women is on the hands of those who gave the shoot-to-kill orders — and silence at the highest level of government is complicity,” Babu said.

“We will not be cowed. We will not stop demanding justice. And we will not stop standing with the people of Kenya until those responsible are held to account.”

“This is not the Kenya we want. No Kenyan should be hunted down for expressing their views or for standing up for their future.”

At the same time, a section of ex-political prisoners called on Raila to disengage from the broad-based government, arguing the administration remains in office because of ODM backing.  

The group led by ODM executive director Oduor Ong’wen and former Central Imenti Gitobu Imanyara warned the country risks sliding back into the dark era of state repression.

Other members of team include Prof Ngotho Kariuki, Prof Edward Oyugi, Gakuo wa Maina, Wafula Buke, Prof Kiongo Maina and Oginga Kawin.

INSTANT ANALYSIS