Conditions or not: Big split in Raila party over Ruto support

ODM Party leader Oburu Odinga./FILE

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s allies are sharply divided over whether to support President William Ruto’s administration unconditionally or to attach a set of political demands ahead of the 2027 general election.

One faction within ODM argues that the party has been "orphaned" and should fully cooperate and unconditionally back the President to safeguard development gains in ODM bastions.

However, another group insists that any form of support must come with clear political guarantees, including key government positions and protection of ODM’s political identity.

Leaders allied to acting party leader Oburu Oginga favour structured cooperation, warning, “blind allegiance could erode ODM’s bargaining power.”

Oburu insists political parties must “secure power, not surrender it.”

ODM’s national executive committee has endorsed Raila’s position that the party’s current deal with Ruto expires in 2027.

Speaking in a local TV interview on Sunday night, Oburu hinted that ODM will only support Ruto’s 2027 reelection bid if the Orange party is assured of at least the deputy president slot.

 “If we have to go for a lower position, it must not be lower than number two in any formation. That is my take. We should not take less than that,” the Siaya senator said.

To up their bargaining power, Oburu called for a strong and united ODM.

“Nobody will respect you or negotiate with you if you are a weak party. Our emphasis is on strengthening our party, ODM, so that we can negotiate for the top position in the land,” he added.

The same line has received the backing of a section of high-ranking ODM members, including Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and Raila’s younger sister Ruth Odinga, who want a renegotiation. 

The Kisumu woman representative has even gone further to dismiss a broad-based approach in the upcoming by-elections, insisting that ODM must retain its identity for it to have bigger bargaining power.

“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.

Senate Minority leader Stewart Madzayo said the Orange party will not be used as a bridge, which is later abandoned after being used.

“As ODM we shall not agree to be used like a ladder to facilitate some people reaching some ends, and then we are forgotten,” the Kilifi senator said, signaling the party will have demands that must first be met.

Then there is another wing led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and a host of other MPs, including Babu Owino (Embakasi East) and Caleb Amisi (Saboti), who want to hear nothing about any deal with Ruto.

“The pact we made with UDA did not constitute a coalition agreement. I hear people going around saying there are broad-based candidates in the by-elections. Broad-based is not a party, and therefore, it has no candidates,” he said.

However, a section of legislators are pushing for unconditional engagement, claiming that prolonged political brinkmanship could isolate the region from government benefits.

MPs Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Jared Okello (Nyando), Anthony Oluoch (Mathare), Felix Odiwuor (Lang’ata), and Migori Senator Eddy Oketch have urged leaders across the political divide to rally behind President Ruto, saying the country needs unity and stability to deliver on key development promises.

Okello said that, like orphans, the Luo community and by extension, Raila’s bases should back the head of state for the sake of national progress.

“As the Luo community, we are now certified orphans (with the passing of Raila). I have never seen any orphan giving conditions.”

Oketch, while accusing Sifuna of doublespeak, said the party, through its structures, sanctioned the decision to support the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“SG must accept that he is conflicted and face the personal challenge as a leader. Honestly, I don’t understand Sifuna, who writes, signs, and read documents on behalf of ODM, and commits us to broad-based in the morning, and then postulates in the evening on nonexistence of broad-based,” Oketch said.

“Let us be honest people, even if our decision to stay in broad-based sounds unpopular. Let us stop these unnecessary acts of disparaging and upsetting the arrangement.”

The senator also urged party leadership too reign on officials causing confusion insisting that the party is better placed working with Ruto.

“Hon Oburu, Hon Wanga and Hon Junet, please put a stop on this among central committee members especially once you have issued a statement of the party, let people stick to it.”

Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo called on opposition leaders to stop what he termed “constant political noise” and instead work with the government to improve the economy.

“I will assume the role of director for two terms officially. I have been in politics for some time now and it is high time the young boys in ODM go slow on some of these things (giving Ruto conditions)” the lawmaker said.

Mathare MP Oluoch called on leaders to support the Kenya Kwanza administration, saying it has demonstrated genuine friendship and goodwill toward the region and the party.

“When we will be sitting with our friends in 2027, we know people who are not our friends. In 2027, we welcome the debate to be convinced that we have better suitors than President William Ruto,” he said.

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai also slammed with acting party leader for placing demands before the party decides on backing the President.

”Not a wise strategy. You can be given the Deputy President and then denied everything else. What will you do? You make it sound like you are only desperate for the presidency, not leadership. If someone gave you the Deputy Presidency but denied you Cabinet positions and PS positions, what would you do?” Alai said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS:

Analysts say how the ODM party resolves this internal wrangle will determine whether it remains a formidable force or becomes a mere appendage of Ruto’s reelection machinery in 2027.