ODM ‘rebels’ clash with loyalists over backing Ruto

Differences between members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party who are in full support of President William Ruto and those who are holding him at arm’s length were evident at two separate events on Saturday.

At the burial of historian Prof Bethwell Ogot in Siaya County and a grassroots campaign in Mombasa County, a divergence of views was witnessed.

Whereas Interim Party leader and Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and his Siaya counterpart James Orengo said ODM will not be involved in helping Dr Ruto’s government fight its wars, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, an ODM member incorporated into the broad-based government, said the Head of State’s efforts towards ODM leader Raila Odinga’s campaign for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC) showed he was a “true friend”.

In Mombasa, national chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, her host Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, and Likoni MP Mishi Mboko reiterated the message of Dr Ruto being a friend, pledging to support his government.

Prof Nyong’o, speaking at the burial in Yala, Siaya County, warned of a possible revolt by the people again like it happened in 2024 during the youth-led protests if the government continues to ignore the concerns being raised by the members of the public.

He said the party will not be there to help the government extinguish the fires.

“What is happening in Kenya today is that people want to develop the country but are not listening to the people at the grassroots level. Recently here, the country was about to collapse during the Gen Z protests because the government was doing something against the will of the people,” said Governor Nyong’o.

He said they know the problems the people are facing, adding that Kenya almost burnt had ODM and Mr Odinga not intervened.

“We will, however, not put out fires for the government every other time. We want the government to know that there will be fire if the country is not run in the right manner. We are not here to extinguish fires; we will only do so when we are sure that these people we are talking with do the right thing, or else another fire is coming,” said Governor Nyong’o.

A warning? 

The statement by Governor Nyong’o could be interpreted as a warning shot by the Raila-led party to the Kenya Kwanza administration that they may abandon their cooperation should it fail to heed to the calls of the people.

Mr Orengo, on his part, accused politicians of being dishonest and being only concerned about the present. He stated that the development that is taking place in Luo Nyanza is not a favour.

“When we see things happening in Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu or Siaya, it’s not a favour. We are part of this nation and we pay taxes like others. We are citizens too,” said Mr Orengo.

“Let us not be engaged in other people’s fights. We do not want the politics of Gachagua of shareholding, we have equal rights to enjoy what every Kenyan enjoys.”

The governor insisted that ODM must remain steadfast and strengthen the party in order to get power one day.

“We are still looking for a day when a Luo will be president of the republic of Kenya. But we can only achieve this when our house ODM remains stronger,” said Mr Orengo.

'True allies'

Mr Wandayi said the AUC election process had shown the Luo community its true allies.

“The elections taught us who our genuine friends are as a people. After the outcome of the elections at Addis Ababa, we saw those who celebrated our loss the most and laughed at us. We will not forget about this. We have known those who mean well for us. We saw President Ruto walk with Mr Odinga, looking for support from different heads of state. It showed us our true friends,” said Mr Wandayi.

He castigated some leaders, accusing them of applying underhand deals to thwart Mr Odinga’s efforts in clinching the seat.

“This AUC election has taught us very valuable lessons. While we were busy working on how to get the AUC seat, some leaders went behind our backs to convince (other presidents) otherwise. We now know our friends and enemies. If you walk with our enemies, we shall treat you in the same manner,” said the CS.

Mr Eliud Owalo, the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, Performance and Delivery Management, said President Ruto is deliberate on the development of the country, including Nyanza.

“We are on the threshold of the third liberation which will not be political, but economic. This is why the President is deliberate about the development agenda of Nyanza which has been neglected before, politically and economically,” said Mr Owalo.

Friend-versus-foe

In Mombasa where ODM began its grassroots sensitisation campaign in Likoni, Ms Wanga repeated the friend-versus-foe observations.

“We now know who our true friends are. But one day we will tell the world the truth about what transpired,” said Ms Wanga, who also declared that ODM will remain in the broad-based government.

Governor Nassir said the President did everything within his power to support their party leader.

“While we may not have clinched the seat, Kenya’s prominence on the continental stage has grown immensely. The President never betrayed Mr Odinga. Woe unto those who expected us to come back and burn the country after the AUC loss. ODM has principles,” said Governor Nassir.

Likoni MP Mishi Mboko said: “The President did his best despite the outcome. He remains our only true friend. He has rewarded us with many positions and soon we will get Principal Secretary positions.”

The team in Mombasa was accompanied by MPs Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga), Roza Buyu (Kisumu West), and Fatuma Mohamed (Migori Woman Representative).

-REPORTING BY RUSHDIE OUDIA, KASIM ADINASI AND WINNIE ATIENO