- Siaya Governor James Orengo has warned ODM against entering into any political agreement with President William Ruto
- He said that such a coalition would reduce ODM’s national status, reducing it to a regional party
- Orengo insisted that collaborating with Ruto would be pointless and urged the party to act cautiously as the 2027 election approaches.
Governor of Siaya James Orengo has warned the ODM party against considering any political plan with President William Ruto.
Source: Facebook
Ruto has been favoring the party on his side, promising the same cooperation with the UDA party if he succeeds in his quest for re-election in 2027.
Why James Orengo does not want ODM to cooperate with Ruto
Orengo opposes such a move, warning that it will reduce ODM to a regional party and deprive it of its national appeal.
According to him, any collaboration with Ruto will be futile, and the party should therefore be wary of his next move as the 2027 general election approaches.
“It is quite clear that people are trying to sacrifice themselves to involve ODM in plans that do not make sense. If we decide to work with Kenya Kwanza or UDA, it is very likely that ODM will be a small party; it will be returned to Luo Nyanza basically,” he said.
Is there a division in ODM?
Orengo is one of the groups within ODM that opposes broad governance.
Others are senators Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga) and Edwin Sifuna of Nairobi, who is also the general secretary of the party.
They accused their colleagues from another group of trying to bid the party for the president.
The wing is led by party leader Oburu Oginga. They have vowed to work with the president until 2027, giving indications of leading the party in an agreement with Ruto to support him in his bid for re-election.
The side that supports Ruto says that the deceased Raila Odinga He had blessed the partnership with Ruto and that was where they would stay.
Others in the camp supporting Ruto are Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, Mombasa governor and deputy party leader Abdulswamad Nassir, Homa Bay governor and national chairman Gladys Wanga, and Kisii governor Simba Arati.
In recent weeks, rival groups in the party have been exchanging accusations of bidding the movement for selfish interests.
Source: Facebook
Does Uhuru want to take ODM?
The latest allegations came from Junet, who claimed that some members were undermining the leadership of the party while secretly developing deals with the former president. Uhuru Kenyatta.
Addressing a rally in his home state on December 24, the National Assembly minority leader said he had been approached by a senior official, whom he did not name, with a proposal to leave the broad camp and join the opposition under the promise of Uhuru’s support in 2027.
Junet recounted being invited to a meeting in Kisumu where the officer, who is from the anti-government team, explained the plan to unite in the opposition, claiming Uhuru was ready to inject one billion shillings into party politics before the next election.
He said that he rejected the idea, saying that Uhuru had already given all he could during his presidency, suggesting that Raila’s defeat in 2022 despite Uhuru’s support should be evidence.
Junet further accused the unnamed official of criticizing ODM members who support Ruto while at the same time pursuing what he suggested were selfish deals.
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