ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga (second left) and other party leaders during the Kisumu Rally at Kirembe Grounds on May 31, 2026.
"We are in the broad-based government to stay,” this was the unanimous message from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party rally in Kisumu on Sunday.
The rally, attended by thousands of ODM supporters saw the party’s top leadership re-affirm their support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid 15 months to the General Election.
However, the declaration goes against the Linda Mwananchi faction push against supporting President Ruto’s re-election.
In the rally led by the Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga, Chairperson Gladys Wanga among other politicians, leaders rallied the ODM supporters to support President Ruto, saying they stand to benefit more when working with the current administration compared to previous governments.
Orange Democratic Movement supporters during the Kisumu Rally on May 31, 2026.
"We reaffirm our commitment to staying in the broad-based government, and in government now and in the future, and building partnerships to capture power. We call for full implementation of the 10-point agenda, in particular the question of compensation of victims of post-election violence," said Ms Wanga.
Dr Oginga said the party will remain in the broad-based government and will not negotiate with the United Opposition led by former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
"I have come to ask our opponents, people who are competing with us, they should know that we are aiming at power in 2027, and we are going to make sure we defeat them. We are going to make sure we are not afraid, because personally, I cannot lead my people to join Gachagua.
So we are going to go for this government, and we are going to negotiate with the like-minded parties, starting with UDA, which is our current partner. We are going to negotiate hard," said Dr Oginga.
He added that after the negotiations, the ODM team will come out with a good and well-negotiated document, which will form the basis of the establishment of a coalition government in the future on an unequal basis.
Ruto vs Uhuru
He praised President Ruto for showing "more goodwill than Uhuru" by appointing ODM members to ministerial positions, and urged supporters to register as voters in large numbers.
He called for unity in the Luo nation, saying they will not allow any attempt to divide the community.
"Some people saw me fit to lead. Those who are jealous of me should know that the spirit just fell on me and other people should respect that," he said.
He added that if he were the cause of division within the community, he would step down.
"We shall walk in government through the front door this time round and not the window. Negotiations are on and we shall table demands," he said.
Ms Wanga said past governments had not given the region its required share of positions, but that President Ruto had offered ODM "prime positions" and initiated development in the region.
Ms Wanga acknowledged rising fuel prices but said ODM would not return to street protests.
"In this country there are only two buses. The united opposition without a driver and has no Luhya, Luo, Coast communities in it – we shall not board it. Then there is one driven by Ruto and we have been offered half the bus – that is the one we have chosen," she said.
Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o told the rally that although ODM leaders may disagree at times, their destiny was shared.
"Whether to support Ruto government is not the issues, the issue is, is the government doing positive things to our people? Let us not focus on what we wish President William Ruto couldn't do, but what is being done in this nation to make it better. We cant get such projects without dialogue," said Prof Nyong'o.
He added that all governments are formed by political parties, therefore ODM must be ready to build and strengthen itself tonform government.
Kisii Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati praised the organisation of the Luo nation and said the region must seek power.
"My brothers Kalenjin and Kikuyu have been in power for many years. In 2032, it will be our turn," he said.
Several other leaders used the platform to declare support for President Ruto, but with conditions attached.
Luo Council of Elders led by Ker Odungi Randa during the ODM rally in Kisumu at Kirembe Grounds on May 31, 2026.
Ker Odungi Randa, chair of the Luo Council of Elders, said the community stood with President Ruto and would vote for him in 2027.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi told the rally that other communities were planning their political futures, and that the Luo must do the same.
"It reaches a time that you cannot force partnerships – you seek another partner. In 2032, it will be time for Luos to lead, and I am ready to take over leadership as the sixth president of Kenya," he said.
For most of its history, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party did not need to organise its own rallies.
The ODM party also expressed concern about the safety of children in school, following the recent fire tragedy in Utumishi Academy in Gilgil.
"We call for a speedy review of the implementation status of all recommendations of all previous committees and commissions formed to look into safety in all schools, with a view of ending, once and for all, tragedies like that witnessed at Utumishi Academy," said Ms Wanga.
They called for robust public debates on education, and input on Kenya's internationally-backed public health programmes, with particular focus on Ebola, to weed out misinformation, disinformation, and politics on health matters.
The party mandated the chair of the health committee in the National Assembly, Dr James Nyikal, to immediately institute a parliamentary enquiry into the matter through the committee of health.
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