Live update: Senators discuss governors snubbing summons
Premium
Ruto: Why I plan to work with ODM in 2027
President William Ruto speaks during the World Minority Rights Day celebrations at State House, Nairobi, on December 18, 2025.
President William Ruto has indicated that his administration may consider political demands set by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ahead of the 2027 election, saying the party should be ready to form the next government.
Dr Ruto expressed confidence that his competitors, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, will not beat him in the next election.
He said he has an agenda for the country and that his track record speaks for itself, which will make voters choose him over Mr Musyoka and other candidates.
“You cannot lead the country when you have no agenda for the people, and whoever has no record should not be voted for. Some people have been in leadership positions for 40 years yet they cannot account for their leadership or tell people what their plans are,” the President said.
President William Ruto speaks during the World Minority Rights Day celebrations at State House, Nairobi, on December 18, 2025.
He spoke in Migori on Saturday after watching a football match hosted by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed at Kadika Primary School.
President Ruto asked ODM members to back his re-election bid.
Some members of the party have set conditions for Kenya Kwanza on what they want before deciding whether to vote for the President.
These include additional Cabinet Secretary positions and other political favours.
ODM officials are on record saying they want another round of talks with the President before the next election.
Some of the officials, including Mr Mohamed, party leader Oburu Oginga and national chairperson Gladys Wanga, accompanied the Head of State to Migori during the football tournament.
They, however, failed to openly issue their demands in front of the UDA leader.
But the President chose to respond to their past calls, saying the party should be ready to be part of the next government.
“Be ready. I will also put my team ready and we shall meet and form a joint government,” he said.
He added: “Don’t be worried. I know our competitors, and I have realised that they are cowards. Leadership must be accountable. If you cannot account for your time, have no projects and no agenda, forget about leadership in Kenya.”
According to the President, the country has been sluggish in development because of some leaders whom he accused of being opposed to development. He insisted on pursuing the Singapore dream, saying his attention will not be diverted from it.
“I am ready to demonstrate my track record and the plans I have for the country. We will walk the journey next year,” Dr Ruto said.
ODM party leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga.
Despite calls by the UDA leader for ODM to be ready to be included in the next government, it appears the Oburu-led party is facing internal challenges.
Mr Mohamed said the party still supports the broad-based government.
He, however, pointed to unnamed individuals whom he accused of rocking the party from within.
According to the National Assembly Minority Leader, there are politicians who look down on their seniors in the party.
He alleged that some people in ODM do not show respect to their leaders and have chosen to betray the party to its opponents.
“What our party leader says is final, and whoever opposes it will be edged out,” Mr Mohamed warned.
He accused retired President Uhuru Kenyatta of being behind the troubles facing the party.
Mr Mohamed, however, insisted that the party will remain steadfast, with its officials defending it.
“Oburu has his own people, and we will defend him. Some people in ODM say the party will have a presidential candidate in the next election. There is only one person who can be a presidential candidate, and that is Oburu. He will give us direction on whether he will vie for the presidency,” the Suna East MP said.
The legislator announced plans by the Orange party to deal with errant members from next year.
Dr Oginga said ODM was led and built by his brother, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
“Raila was not just a brother; he was my confidant and friend. We lived together for 80 years. He left me, and now I carry the yoke of party leadership,” the Siaya senator said.
According to the ODM leader, there are people who wish he would leave his seat.
But he insisted on staying put, adding that his age will not bar him from holding the position.
“I am not going to be shaken. Anybody who thinks that I am about to die is seriously mistaken,” he said.
The senator expressed confidence that he will continue leading the party, saying he is the same age as US President Donald Trump.
Dr Oburu also described the broad-based government as the best political arrangement and asked ODM members to continue supporting President Ruto.
“We are going to move forward and make sure that in 2027 our people are in government. Our people will not go to the opposition. There is no party that is formed to be in opposition,” he said.
He argued that Nyanza remains a marginalised region and that it was time for the people to start enjoying being included in government.
“We are going to fight for it. We will not ask for favours. We are going to earn it by being in ODM,” Dr Oginga said.
Ms Wanga described ODM as one of the largest political parties.
She said the political outfit still supports the broad-based government.
“We will engage in talks as we move forward,” the Homa Bay Governor said.
Cabinet Secretaries Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-operatives), John Mbadi (Treasury), Hassan Joho (Blue Economy) and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) attended the event.
Mr Joho said ODM will support the President in the upcoming election.
“I am still a member of the party, and I assure you that the party will support you,” he said.
He was echoed by Mr Mbadi, who said no one can speak on behalf of ODM besides Dr Oburu.
He accused some politicians of trying to rock ODM from within, saying there are party members who allegedly meet retired President Uhuru Kenyatta with the intention of diluting the party.
President Ruto used the opportunity to highlight what his administration has done in Migori, including the ongoing construction of a Sh800 million stadium.
“We will not be holding a meeting at the post ever again. The stadium will be complete next year and will be used to host sporting events,” the President said.
Other projects include the ongoing construction of markets, affordable housing and hostels for students.
He said his administration is also rehabilitating fish landing sites at three beaches.
He urged leaders to stop divisive politics and ethnicity and instead focus on development.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
