PRESIDENT President William Ruto’s path to 2027 appears to be hitting fresh turbulence after ODM took an unexpectedly hard-line stance on dealing with his Kenya Kwanza administration.
ODM bigwigs over the weekend hinted at a possible divorce at the expiry of the current deal in 2027. The leaders, speaking in Mombasa, said ODM has its options wide open, including backing a candidate against President Ruto.
The President is banking on the Orange party as part of his re-election calculus, a situation playing out in the wake of the uncertainty of the Mt Kenya vote, which propelled his election in 2022.
His estranged former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, is shepherding the region to oppose the Kenya Kwanza regime, and by extension the broad-based government, in 2027.
But speaking in Mombasa on Saturday, ODM leaders led by acting party leader Oburu Oginga, secretary general Edwin Sifuna and late Raila’s sister and Kisumu Woman Representative said it will not be automatic.
Sifuna dismissed Ruto’s remarks that the late Raila Odinga was the only politician capable of challenging him in the 2027 elections, insisting the party remains strong and ready to field its own candidate.
He also refuted claims that only the late Raila could be capable of mounting a serious challenge against the President in 2027.
“As a party, if we decide to field our party leader (Oburu) or Abdulswamad (Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir) or the other party leaders, then people will go home. Even if you decide to have your secretary general on the ballot, we will win in the morning,” Sifuna fired. “I have some people claiming that only Raila could challenge him. It is high time they know that a young lion is also a lion. What I know is that if we decide today to have a candidate, then people will go home in 2027.”
Raila’s younger sister Ruth Odinga dismissed the broad-based government, insisting that ODM must maintain guard against its identity even in the ongoing by-elections. There have been efforts by the ruling UDA and ODM to campaign together in the various by-elections across the country, even as some insiders whisper it is part of their strategy.
Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki on Saturday led the UDA team in campaigning for the ODM candidate in Kasipul Boyd Were, where they declared that the two parties will approach the campaigns with broad-based candidates.
But speaking in Mombasa, Ruth Odinga said ODM will approach the polls as an independent party. “I want you to know that Baba kept reminding me that the party must remain strong. Even in the coming polls, tomorrow (Sunday), we will be heading to Magarini for campaigns; we are going there as ODM,” Ruth said.
“There is no party called broad-based. The same applies to Malava and other areas where we have by-elections.”
About the 2027 elections, Odinga said the party must go to the negotiation table as a strong entity with bargaining power.
The sentiments reveal the deep fissures in the party, which are growing bigger days after Raila’s demise, with some voices saying the party would be in the government to stay, beyond 2027. Oburu was, however, measured, only saying the party will not backslide to the opposition under his watch.
“When we reach 2027, we can either go on our own or join UDA or any other outfit. But we have to approach the year on a strong footing,” she said.
The Siaya senator said the party will be keen on ensuring that all the ten-point agenda signed between President Ruto and Raila are fulfilled, after which they will make a decision.
“We joined the broad-based government to save the country, which was on the edge, and there was a possibility of the military taking over. We will be keen on the ten-point agenda to ensure its full implementation up to 2027,” Oburu said.
“After 2027, we will either form the government or enter into a coalition that will form the next government. We will not go back to the opposition.”
The leaders spoke in Mombasa on Saturday during a meeting with the area leaders and party delegates.
Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo noted that the party must engage cautiously, saying they will not agree to be used as a ladder to help other people in 2027.
“We must not be used as a ladder by some people (in 2027)… that one we must not allow," the Kilifi senator said.
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