Allies of ODM leader Raila Odinga are contemplating a potential political alliance with President William Ruto, contingent upon his fulfillment of recent commitments to his supporters.
Following the recent appointments of their members to the expansive cabinet, ODM politicians, including Raila’s elder brother and Siaya senator Oburu Oginga, assert that they would not hesitate to collaborate with Ruto if he honors his promises. READ FULL STORY
Politicians associated with Raila noted their previous collaboration with Ruto within ODM and expressed readiness to engage with him once more.
Should Raila successfully secure the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC) in the upcoming February elections, it is anticipated that his faction and that of the President will negotiate a 2027 agreement.
This agreement is expected to establish a power-sharing arrangement that includes both ODM and Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Oginga emphasized that the ODM leader has welcomed Ruto, stating that the Luo community would be prepared to address his 2007 political obligations, provided he realizes his promises and includes the community in employment opportunities within his administration.
“He received a welcome in the Luo nation more than any other time he has been around. This is because Raila has embraced him and I think it is not bad kurudisha mkono (pay a political debt),” Oginga said.
Oginga observed that Ruto significantly contributed to Raila’s appointment as the Prime Minister of Kenya in 2007.
“He did not just support him by word of mouth but mobilized people in the Rift Valley who voted for him man to man yet we did not give him much in the last election
“…but we are telling you Mr president that as things move, let us continue to talk and negotiate and let our people feel the government, let them feel they are also part of the government,” he said.
The Siaya Senator added;
“We have given you our cream of the party. We have given you our two deputy party leaders (Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya), we have given you John Mbadi who was our chairman, as well as Opiyo Wandayi who was minority leader in parliament, that’s the top most cream from our party and we want them to work for Kenyans.”
Oginga urges Ruto to facilitate the integration of the community within the government, ensuring that individuals from the Luo community are represented in employment across all governmental sectors, thereby fostering a sense of belonging within the administration.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, who also serves as the Secretary General of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya, has directed criticism towards former President Uhuru Kenyatta, attributing the failure to assist the ODM leader in achieving presidential victory during the 2022 General Election to him.
He contends that while Raila played a significant role in stabilizing President Kenyatta’s administration through the Handshake agreement, the former president did little to aid Raila in his quest for electoral success.
Since the coalition’s defeat in the 2022 presidential election, Junet has expressed that their alliance has not reaped any benefits from Uhuru.
“I was at the centre of the last campaigns and the president’s team demonised us over the handshake saying that we were part and parcel of the problems in government yet we were on the other side of the fence and held no position in that government.
“We were never given any cabinet position but now we have ODM members who have resigned to join the cabinet. So now, even if somebody says we are part of the government, we can agree but the other one, we were put on the periphery until last minute when we thought we were winning, but it just went like that. It was a sad state of affairs,” he said.
Indicating a potential alliance between Raila’s faction and President Ruto, Junet urged Ruto to facilitate Raila’s election as the chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Indicating a potential alliance between Raila’s faction and President Ruto, Junet urged Ruto to facilitate Raila’s election as the chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
“If we secure that post; mambo itakuwa matatu na hiyo matatu tutatangaza siku ingine (We shall have only three issues and those we will declare at an opportune time),” he said.
Junet proceeded to assert that the surname of his Majority counterpart, Kimani Ichung’wa, is indicative of an ‘Orange,’ which serves as the emblem of Raila’s ODM party.
“I also want to add that since we are now under the broad-based government, when the by-elections here in Ugunja come, it should be reserved for ODM,” he said.
