“Ruto Needs ODM, Not the Other Way Around”- Orengo Slams ODM Members Aligning with Ruto, Calls Move ‘Cowardly’

Siaya Governor James Orengo has sharply criticized some Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members for aligning with President William Ruto’s administration under the broad-based agreement, calling the move “cowardly.” Speaking at the party’s youth convention in Mombasa on Friday, Orengo insisted that it is Ruto who needs ODM for the 2027 General Election, not the other way around.

Orengo emphasized that ODM must remain independent and continue being the voice of the voiceless. “We want a government that is accountable. It is Ruto who needs ODM because he has failed the people. ODM does not need Ruto,” he stated. He added that certain party members are acting as if ODM depends on the president, a notion he rejected firmly.

He also underscored ODM’s ability to field its own presidential candidate in 2027. Orengo dismissed the broad-based arrangement as lacking both legal and political weight. “Liberation parties in Africa are dying because they forget the people. ODM is a party of the people, by the people, and for the people. We cannot surrender our identity to a broad-based arrangement,” he said.

The governor questioned the intentions of ODM members pushing to join Ruto’s government. “If you make Ruto president in 2027, where does that leave ODM? Some members are already saying they want to be in government. In politics, you must decide your priorities. A strong party like ODM must know what it wants,” he added.

Orengo also paid tribute to the late ODM leader Raila Odinga, highlighting his enduring influence. “Raila’s impact surpasses that of all four presidents who have ruled Kenya. He ensured ODM would remain a voice for the people, not just a participant in government. That is why the party leads in the National Assembly and Senate,” he said.

He called on young members to join him in shaping ODM’s future and upholding its principles. The youth convention, coinciding with ODM’s 20th anniversary, is set for Saturday, November 15, aiming to honor Raila’s legacy while charting a clear path forward for the party.