Osotsi: ODM has betrayed Raila in death

ODM deputy party leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Ososti has accused some of his colleagues of betraying former party leader Raila Odinga.

Osotsi says statements made early today during the release of the Nadco Implementation Committee are misleading and an attempt to distort facts.

“My attention has been drawn to misleading statements by some leaders within the ODM regarding the 10-Point Agenda Agreement signed between our departed party leader, Raila Amolo Odinga and President William Ruto on March 7, 2025,” Osotsi said.

“These statements attempt to distort the true nature and intent of the agreement while downplaying the systematic sabotage of its implementation by President Ruto and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), particularly following Raila's untimely death.”

The ODM leader said a narrative is now being pushed by pro-regime voices within ODM claiming that the agreement had no timeline and that March 7 merely marks the first anniversary of a symbolic signing ceremony at KICC.

“This interpretation is inaccurate and misleading. Such claims amount to a betrayal of Raila Odinga's legacy and the millions of Kenyans who sacrificed during the protests and civic agitation that demanded reforms and accountability from the state,” he said.

Osotsi was reacting to public remarks by his boss and Siaya counterpart Oburu Oginga who rejected claims that the panel’s mandate expired last Saturday.

“March 7, which was slated as the date for the making of a report, was not the end of the BBG. The BBG goes up to 2027. March 7 was marking the beginning of the date when this 10-point agenda was signed. It was an anniversary. It was to celebrate that anniversary,” Oburu said.

However, Osotis differed with the statement saying as a senior ODM leader who was directly involved in the negotiations leading to the agreement and the subsequent implementation framework signed by the two principals on August 6, he considers it his duty to set the record straight.

The Senator argues that March 7, 2026 is not merely an anniversary but the deadline for presenting a comprehensive assessment on the implementation of the reform agenda.

“Unfortunately, the committee's operations have lacked transparency and regular reporting as required. Kenyans have largely been treated to public relations narratives rather than clear progress reports on promised reforms.

The National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) Report and the subsequent 10-Point Agenda Agreement according to him were not political conveniences.

“They were the result of sustained public agitation and national demand for reforms in governance, economic management and the protection of human rights. Kenyans paid a heavy price to secure these concessions and they must not be trivialised or misrepresented for narrow political gain.”

“Before the signing of the agreement, ODM held internal consultations. During a meeting of the ODM Central Management Committee chaired by Raila, an attempt was made to introduce a draft coalition pact between ODM and UDA.”

He said Raila rejected this proposal and instead insisted on a people-centered reform agreement addressing the pressing socio-economic and human rights concerns raised in the Nadco Report and the Gen Z protests.

Osotsi said subsequently Raila appointed a team comprising Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o, ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong'wen and lawyer Paul Mwangi to develop the reform framework that later became the 10-Point Agenda.

When the document was presented to the UDA delegation led by Ruto at KICC, Osotsi said it was approved within minutes, raising early concerns that the ruling party's interest lay more in the optics of the signing than in genuine implementation.

“Indeed, in the months that followed, the agreement was repeatedly mischaracterised as a coalition pact while its implementation stalled. Concerned by this lack of progress, Raila directed some ODM leaders, including myself and secretary general Edwin Sifuna, to publicly clarify the nature of the agreement and demand its implementation.”

For this reason, Osotsi said the progressive wing of ODM operating under the Linda Mwananchi platform will continue to defend the party's founding principles and the reform commitments made to the Kenyan people.

“Tomorrow we shall release a People's Report presenting an independent assessment of the true status of the implementation of the 10-Point Agenda.”