Ruto walks into a divided ODM in first post-Raila tour of Nyanza

President William Ruto at Tobong’u Lore festival in Lodwar, Turkana county on December 16, 2025/PCS

Allies of former Prime Minister Raila continue to trade barbs over 2027 political deal with President William Ruto even as the head of state prepares for his first visit to the region after Raila’s burial.

President Ruto is today expected to attend the fifth edition of the Piny Luo festival at Rongo University in Migori county.

But as the President visits, the region is embroiled in a fierce debate on the direction the community should take in post-Raila political era with leaders sharply divided on the way forward.

Already three rival camps have emerged within the Orange outfit, unable to agree over how the wider region should approach Ruto's re-election bid.

While one camp insists that any backing of Ruto must be conditional, demanding at least Deputy President seat, the other camp is pushing for structured negotiation and signed deal before the party commits its support.

Leaders in this camp led by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo say a written deal would protect the region’s interests and give the party clarity heading into the next general election.

The third group, however, is calling for unconditional support of President Ruto, arguing that the region should rally behind the Head of State without setting demands.

Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo and Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma lead the team.

The emerging fault lines come as Ruto prepares to tour the region, a visit seen as politically significant following Raila’s passing and the vacuum it has created within ODM.

With no single voice speaking for the party, the debate over 2027 is increasingly exposing deepening internal divisions ahead of his expected visit to the region

Orengo triggered the debate on Monday during the official opening of the cultural event bringing together all Dholuo speaking people from across East Africa.

Orengo – who has been cagey with the broadbased government and the 2027 deal with Ruto – cautioned the community against what he termed as a blind political deal in the coming elections.

The Siaya Governor warned that the community should not be rushed into political commitments without clear terms, insisting all cards must first be put on the table before any pact is considered.

 Orengo, while demanding for a structured agreement, said Ruto in his second term will be ‘lameduck’ President who will not guarantee anything in the absence of a written deal.

 “Raila has left for us a strong legacy to move us forward and never be cheated again,” Orengo said in a meeting also attended by ODM leader Oburu Oginga.

 “If we are negotiating with anyone, he must put his cards on the table so that we negotiate on equal terms.”

The governor’s remarks resonate with a section of leaders and grassroots supporters who argue that unconditional alignment risks weakening the region’s bargaining power.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo has also called for structured negotiation at the expiry of the current broad-based arrangement.

“If President Ruto so decides that he still needs the support of ODM in 2027, then we must enter a structured negotiation again and be very clear on the gains made so far and what bargaining points will be there. We cannot do that if we allow ourselves to be swallowed by UDA,” Otiende said during an interview with Spice FM.

However, a rival camp within ODM, led by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Raila’s former spokesperson Dennis Onyango has pushed back against this narrative.

Onyango cautioned against issuing ultimatums to the President, arguing that written agreements amount to nothing without political goodwill.

“Raila left us to work with President William Ruto, I hear some people calling for a written agreement. They must know that signed agreements are not new – in 2002 and 2007 we had signed agreements with Kibaki but every day it was a struggle even on areas that were clearly written [in the agreement],” he said.

Wandayi said the community and by extension ODM must not second-guess Raila’s resolve to work with President Ruto.

 “There is no error made by Raila when he left us in the hands of President Ruto, so those who have contrary opinions should think twice and consider backing him when room for favour is not yet closed. We owe Ruto and the debt should be paid in 2027,” he said.

Today the President will land in Migori, a visit that is expected to test these competing positions, with leaders watching closely whether the tour will help cool off the political temperatures in the region.

The Piny Luo festival seeks to showcase the culture of the Luo people, their heritage, identity, norms and practices.

During the one-day visit, the President will apart from witnessing other cultural activities will have a caucus with Luo Council of Elders.