Makadara MP George Aladwa has come out in defence of ODM Party leader Raila Odinga’s camaraderie with President William Ruto amid reports of joint leadership between the opposition and the government.

Aladwa shared a photo of the two leaders shaking hands at an event in Mombasa, where President Ruto officially welcomed Raila back to the country after his unsuccessful bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship on Monday, February 24, 2025.

Expressing his support for Raila’s evolving political stance, Aladwa stated that he stands by the opposition leader’s decisions. He emphasized that Raila has dedicated himself to Kenya’s progress and deserved recognition for his efforts.

“This is what I mean when I say I’m in broad-based government. When Baba is happy, I’m happy. This man has suffered for Kenya, let him be,” Aladwa remarked.

Working with Raila

In his speech earlier, President Ruto affirmed his commitment to working closely with Raila to drive Kenya’s development agenda. He highlighted the importance of Raila’s role in nation-building and outlined their shared priorities, including infrastructure development, intra-African trade, and economic prosperity.

The Head of State acknowledged Raila’s dedication during his AUC chairmanship campaign, commending his efforts to represent Kenya at the continental level.

“I have supported many people in the past, but we had a fantastic candidate. He was present and did what needed to be done. Raila was available for all his appointments to different countries and canvas his candidature,” Ruto said.

The President went on to express his enthusiasm for working with Raila in the coming years, emphasizing the need for unity and collaboration to achieve national transformation.

“It is a proud moment for us to receive you back home and to engage with you as we drive the development of our country, engage in nation-building, and broaden and widen our engagement towards achieving equity, prosperity, and transformation,” he added.

Raila’s move

On the other hand, Raila reaffirmed his readiness to offer guidance and support whenever called upon, emphasizing his commitment to both Kenya and the broader African continent. Speaking upon his return, Odinga stated that he would soon engage with his allies and supporters to deliberate on the current political landscape.

“We are available to help the continent of Africa but more importantly, we are also available for Kenya. I’m back home, I am going to meet with my friends, my supporters,” he said.

He further indicated that he would conduct extensive consultations before making a definitive announcement about his next steps.

“I am going to consult widely on what’s going on and in due course we are going to announce our way forward. I just want to say watch this space I will be talking again,” Odinga added, hinting at a big announcement.

ODM’s future uncertain

Amid ongoing turmoil within the ODM Party, pressure is mounting on Raila to provide direction following the collapse of his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

Nairobi branch chairperson George Aladwa has hinted at a possible shake-up in the party’s leadership, suggesting that Secretary General Edwin Sifuna could be ousted over disloyalty. Addressing the press in Nairobi on Saturday, February 22, 2025, Aladwa accused Sifuna of working against the party’s interests, claiming he had shown signs of siding with rival factions, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

“I want to warn Sifuna, who refers to himself as the Secretary General of ODM, that we have had many SGs who were way more powerful like Ababu Namwamba and the rest. Even him, he will go the way Ababu did,” Aladwa stated.

This followed ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna ruling out supporting President Ruto in the 2027 elections, even if ODM leader Raila Odinga were to endorse him.

“I will not vote for Ruto in 2027. I cannot support a regime that has destroyed lives, our economy, and is killing our people,” Sifuna stated during a local television interview.

He emphasized that ODM remains in opposition and will not join the government, expressing confidence that Ruto would lose re-election regardless of Raila’s stance.

“Even if ODM supports Ruto, he will still lose. As a party, we do not support either the internal affairs or the external affairs of the way this country is being run. William Ruto will lose that election with Raila’s support,” he said.

Sifuna added that ODM would only align with parties that share its values and prioritize citizens’ welfare.

“ODM will only enter into alliances with political parties that are like-minded. That is pro-people, that can manage the country. You are not going to force us into an alliance with incompetent people, and it has been demonstrated that the Kenya Kwanza government is the most incompetent so far from independence,” he asserted.