- Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader, Peter Imwatok, urged ODM to slow down its political activities, warning against running into post-Raila politics
- Imwatok said ODM failed to mourn Raila Odinga as a united family after his funeral, leaving deep emotional wounds unaddressed.
- Makongeni’s representative said the party should go on a national mourning tour before participating in the succession debate.
- Imwatok warns ODM groups going in different directions before 2027, asking leaders to stand up and respect Raila’s wishes before making decisions
The majority leader in the Nairobi county assembly, Peter Imwatok, has urged the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to slow down its political activities.
Source: Original
Imwatok said this will give supporters time to mourn following the death of the founder of the party Raila Odingawarning that rushing to post-Raila politics risks serious wounds that have yet to heal.
During an interview at Fred Ogweno’s The People’s Bench on Friday, January 16, Imwatok said the party moved very quickly into the political space after Raila’s funeral.
He explained that this denied members and supporters the opportunity to mourn together as a family, saying that although the late opposition leader’s wish for a speedy burial was respected, ODM failed to create an opportunity for emotional closure across the country.
ODM collapsed after Raila’s funeral?
Imwatok, who describes himself as a loyal lifelong ODM supporter, said the party’s strength was built on dedication, faith, and belief in Raila’s cause rather than personal gain.
Drawing on his own experience, he recalled the years of political struggle and personal suffering that united many members to Raila not only as a leader, but as a symbol of their shared journey.
According to him, the long history makes the current rush on the succession debates very painful.
He said that ODM did not hesitate to mourn Raila as a united party after the state-led funeral arrangements ended.
“We have not sat as a family to mourn the Elder. For me to understand how painful this death was, for Junet for me, for Sifuna for me, for Gladys, my chairperson, for me, how painful it is,” Imwatok said.
What is Imwatok asking ODM to do after Raila’s death?
In his view, the party should embark on a national mourning tour, visiting areas such as North East and West Kenya to mourn with supporters, share memories, and allow emotions to settle.
He said this had never happened, leaving many members stuck in grief, saying that months after Raila’s death, his presence still dominates online and offline conversations, a sign that supporters have not recovered.
“There is only one thing I am asking for the leadership of the party. We did not mourn Baba as a party. We did not mourn Baba as a party. How can we give him a good deal after respecting his will? We could go to Wajir and cry with them and mourn Father with them. We could go to the West, cry and mourn with Father, hug each other. We are not imprisoned,” Imwatok emphasized.
He cited recent public events, including the well-attended ODM rally at Kamukunji Square, where the situation reflected unresolved pain rather than political readiness.
Makongeni’s representative said that if the party leaders themselves still feel the loss deeply, the situation at the lower levels is more severe.
What warning did Imwatok give?
Imwatok warned ODM leaders and members who have already taken a firm stand on whether the party should support the government’s one or two term plan, or whether it should nominate a presidential candidate in 2027.
Although he said all opinions deserve respect, he stressed that Raila left a clear guideline that should hold the discussion.
According to Imwatok, Raila’s will included remaining in the broad political program until 2027 and focusing on the 10-point agenda instead of early power contests.
He claimed that with only a short time before the next election cycle officially begins, there is still time for the party to think, consult, and plan a way forward.
“I have seen someone saying on social media that ODM is following UDA, instead of UDA following, looking for us. My business is ODM. If ODM is talking about one term, two terms, please continue. But I will beg you. Let us respect the Father’s will. Until 2027, it is only the 15th today. There are only 11 months and 15 days left until 2027, the first of January. Now we can choose wherever we want to go,” he commented.
Source: Facebook
Imwatok warned that the speed with which different factions are pulling ODM into competing factions could lead to internal conflicts, urging leaders to “put on the brakes” and allow the party room to regroup.
Imwatok also criticized external and internal actors who he accused of trying to dictate ODM’s future, saying the party must be allowed to manage its own affairs.
“Give the party a chance to think. People are taking our party very quickly, until the brakes are broken, we will collide,” Imwatok warned.
When will ODM’s visit to Western Kenya be?
Imwatok’s appeal comes as the ODM party prepares for a tour of Western Kenya.
On Friday, January 16, the ODM party announced a two-day visit to the area which in the subsequent polls has given many votes to its candidates.
The visit is seen as an effort to strengthen support during the coalition talks for the 2027 General Election.
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