KISUMU, Kenya Feb 23 \u2013 The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is facing a deepening internal crisis following Raila Odinga\u2019s failed bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship. <\/p>\n
The loss to Djibouti\u2019s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf has intensified divisions within the party, with some key members aligning themselves with President William Ruto\u2019s government, while others warn of a looming rebellion if the administration fails to address Kenyans\u2019 concerns.<\/p>\n
The outcome has emboldened factions within ODM, with some leaders declaring a revolt from President William Ruto\u2019s administration which the party had aligned itself to, raising questions about the pact which saw top-ranking party officials named to the Cabinet.<\/p>\n
Deputy party leaders Hassan Joho (Mining) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives), along with former ODM chairperson John Mbadi (National Treasury) and Secretary for Political Affairs Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), have all taken up Cabinet positions. <\/p>\n
Their appointments has fueled debate over ODM\u2019s identity, with some insisting the party is still the opposition while others argue it is now part of the government.<\/p>\n
Acting party leader Prof. Anyang\u2019 Nyong\u2019o said that ODM will not be used to cover up the government\u2019s failures.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Saturday during the burial of historian Prof. Bethwel Ogot in Gem, Siaya County, Nyong\u2019o emphasized that it is not the party\u2019s duty to continuously \u201cextinguish fires\u201d within the government.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the years, as those of us who have been in the struggle know, we have stood with the people to demand better services,\u201d said Nyong\u2019o, who also serves as Kisumu Governor. He pointed out that ODM, under former leader Raila Odinga, stepped in to stabilize the government during the Gen Z protests but warned that such support would not be forthcoming if grievances remain unresolved.<\/p>\n
He particularly urged the government to act on issues raised by young protesters, criticizing its complacency. \u201cIt\u2019s good that Eliud Owalo, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of performance and delivery management, is here so he can explain what the government has done for the people,\u201d Nyong\u2019o stated.<\/p>\n
The situation has escalated following Raila\u2019s failed AUC bid, with political realignments gaining momentum. <\/p>\n
Some ODM leaders have interpreted the loss as a sign of Raila\u2019s declining influence, fueling speculation about the party\u2019s future and whether it can remain a united opposition force.<\/p>\n
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has called on party lawmakers and officials who have aligned themselves with President Ruto to resign and formally join the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). <\/p>\n
Sifuna, who also serves as Nairobi Senator, accused the officials of betraying the party\u2019s values by \u201cbecoming Ruto\u2019s mouthpiece, supporting his punitive policies, and abandoning the ordinary people.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLeave ODM and join UDA if you cannot defend Kenyans. Stop being sycophants and call out Ruto for the injustices happening in the country,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n
ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga has however, dismissed Sifuna\u2019s remarks as divisive, arguing that ODM is strategically engaging with Ruto\u2019s regime while keeping an eye on the 2027 elections\u2014whether independently or as part of a coalition.<\/p>\n
Another influential ODM lawmaker, Peter Kaluma, has threatened to mobilize support for Sifuna\u2019s expulsion from the party over his criticism of last year\u2019s Raila-Ruto deal. \u201cWe are in government, and we are moving forward,\u201d he posted on X.<\/p>\n
Siaya Governor James Orengo, echoing Nyong\u2019o\u2019s sentiments, stressed that government services to the Luo community and all Kenyans should be seen as a right, not a privilege. \u201cWe are not visitors in this country. We should not be forced to praise anyone to receive development,\u201d Orengo said, taking a swipe at some ODM members who have aligned with the government.<\/p>\n
Others like Minority Whip Junet Mohamed are often seen openly declaring support for Ruto\u2019s administration, rejecting calls for ODM members in government to resign. \u201cSome are saying we should leave. Leave to go where? Let them continue making noise because we are in ODM and government to stay,\u201d he said at a political gathering.<\/p>\n
The widening cracks within ODM underscore the growing uncertainty over Raila\u2019s political future. <\/p>\n
With key party figures now embedded in government, the opposition landscape is shifting, leaving ODM at a crossroads\u2014whether to remain an opposition force or fully embrace the new political reality. <\/p>\n
At the same time, Nyong\u2019o and Orengo\u2019s warnings to Kenya Kwanza indicate that at least a faction within ODM is still willing to challenge Ruto\u2019s administration on governance issues, including healthcare, education, and the high cost of living\u2014long-standing grievances that continue to fuel public discontent.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KISUMU, Kenya Feb 23 \u2013 The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is facing a deepening internal crisis following Raila Odinga\u2019s failed bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship. The loss to Djibouti\u2019s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf has intensified divisions within the party, with some key members aligning themselves with President William Ruto\u2019s government, while others warn […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-110841","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110841","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=110841"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110841\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=110841"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=110841"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=110841"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}