The growing split among close allies of ODM leader Raila Odinga played out in the first leg of President William Ruto’s three-day tour of Migori County on Sunday.
As Dr Ruto called on all leaders from the region to support him through the broad-based government to deliver on his promises, some of Mr Odinga’s allies seized the moment to attack their Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) colleagues seen to be against the political arrangement. Mr Odinga’s elder brother, Oburu Oginga, took a swipe at Siaya Governor James Orengo for his anti-broad-based government tirade. Mr Orengo has emerged as one of the fiercest critics of the working arrangement between Dr Ruto and Mr Odinga.
Oburu: We are in broad-based government as ODM, not as individuals
“When my governor stands up and says he is annoyed, I don’t know with whom, and claims he just wants to speak the truth, I ask myself: what truth? Those who think this broad-based government is wrong are vomiting on us from within. Why don’t they step out and vomit there?” said Mr Oginga, the Siaya senator.
“If you want to fight, there is a space where you can do that; for us, our people are waiting for these services. It is our time to work; our people are waiting for it and not to eat anybody’s shares.”
In his speech, Dr Ruto said he agreed to work with Mr Odinga to do away with ills that have been bedevilling the country, citing divisive politics as one of the challenges Kenya was grappling with.
“We agreed with Raila that Kenya should not be divided. We vowed to bring together Kenyans and formed the broad-based government to ensure no region is left behind. There must be equity in sharing resources.”
He said some leaders are against the political formation and seeking to foment division for selfish gain. The three-day tour started a day after ODM Chair Gladys Wanga, National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and Senator Moses Kajwang’ threatened to dissolve the Memorandum of Understanding ODM signed with UDA if they are not given answers on who killed Kasipul MP Charles Were .
Nyanza MPs now threaten to scuttle broad-based govt deal over death of Kasipul MP Ong'ondo Were
But in what appeared like a response to the demand, Dr Ruto promised that the criminals who killed the legislator would be arrested and prosecuted. “They will have nowhere to hide. We will go after them and their collaborators,” he said.
Dr Ruto also continued to drum support for his truce with Mr Odinga, saying the country stands to benefit through the working arrangement. “There is greater benefit in collaboration than to compete at individual level. I give assurance that the government belongs to both ODM and UDA,” he said.
“I call on all Kenyans to shun violence and lawlessness. Stability and unity of the nation is an ingredient of the development of its economy and where there is unity there are blessings.”
He spoke during an inter-denominational church service at Kadika Primary School in Suna East, Migori County, where he was accompanied by Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko, Suna East MP and National Assembly Minority leader Junet Mohamed, Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, Peter Masara (Suna West), Migori Senator Eddy Muok, and Mr Oginga, among other politicians. Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Treasury CS John Mbadi and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo were also present.
President William Ruto (second right), Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko (right), Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi (sixth left), Treasury CS John Mbadi (fifth left) and former Migori Governor Okoth Obado (fourth left) and other leaders during a church service at Kadika Primary School, Suna East Constituency, Migori County on May 4, 2025.
Photo credit: PCS
Mr Mohamed said Dr Ruto has shown that he has all regions at heart. He, however, expressed concern that a few individuals were against development plans that the government has for Nyanza. “Kenya will only develop as a whole if there is equity and equal distribution of resources. But some are against it.”
He assured Dr Ruto that ODM would continue working with UDA, saying Kenya is a multiparty democracy. “Let us collaborate and not be competitors. Our agenda is bigger than politics and we will support you through legislative agenda to change the country,” he said.
“The MoU was meant to strengthen devolution, for unity, and address other issues in the country. We have given the President one of our best, Prof Makau Mutua , and it is proof that President Ruto wants to run the country through the rule of law and the Constitution.”
Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda described the broad-based government as one of the best political formations Kenya has made. “I was called a rebel when I decided to work with President Ruto. But now even those who referred to me as a betrayer support the government.”
President William Ruto lays a foundation stone for the construction of Suna West Technical and Vocational College in Migori County on May 4, 2025.
Photo credit: PCS
His remarks were echoed by Governor Ayacko, who said the relationship between Migori and the national government should be for the benefit of all Kenyans. “The broad-based government is needed in nations that are divided. Out of respect, you've put your differences aside to work for the country. I apologise for my colleagues who are against the agreement,” Mr Ayacko said.
Mr Nyamita said the region is already enjoying the national cake, describing Dr Ruto as genuine in his resolve to work with Mr Odinga. He said the region has since benefitted more in the close to one year of broad-based government compared to more than three years of the handshake between Mr Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta. “This broad-based government continues to unlock key economic sectors for us. As leaders from this region, we also want to make it clear that we are firmly behind the President, now and in future,” he said.
National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro, who also joined the President, said the collaboration has made Nyanza have more government-sponsored projects. “Some leaders have not accepted that the country has moved forward. It is evident that all leaders are working together, yet some are jealous that some people from opposition are working with President Ruto,” he said.
In Migori town, Dr Ruto said his government will build a bypass to reduce traffic jams. “We have paid Sh700 million to contractors in Migori. Another Sh2 billion has been allocated to roads in the region in the new financial year.”
On electricity, the president said his administration has set aside Sh1.4 billion for last mile connectivity to help at least 18,000 households who will be connected in the next one year. On fishing, he said funds have been allocated to improve Muhuru bay pier. It includes construction of a fish landing site and improvement of the road from Masara to Muhuru Bay.
“Fishermen been struggling to take fish to the market due to bad roads. They also do not have cold storage facilities. They must get resources to improve their source of livelihood,” President Ruto said. He also announced an allocation of Sh700 million for rehabilitation of Migori stadium. An additional Sh350 million will be set aside for construction of a new market in Migori Town.
“We will also begin the construction of 2000 affordable housing projects because people should not live in slums. The contract will be announced in two weeks,” Dr Ruto said.
