Caroli Omondi declares ODM dead, claims Ruto is now the party leader
By Mustafa Juma, July 18, 2026Suba South MP Caroli Omondi has launched a blistering attack on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), declaring the party “dead” and claiming President William Ruto has effectively taken over its leadership following the party’s cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Speaking during the Linda Mwananchi political tour in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, Omondi urged disgruntled ODM supporters to abandon the party and instead join the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has emerged as a vocal critic of the broad-based government.
“ODM imekufa. ODM imenunuliwa na Ruto. Kama wewe ulikuwa wa ODM, vuka uingie Linda Mwananchi,” Omondi told supporters.
He went on to claim that the party had lost its identity, claiming its leadership had effectively shifted to President Ruto.
“Wale wa linda tumbo wamechanganyikiwa, huwezi jua kiongozi wa ODM ni nani. Party leader wa ODM sasa ni Ruto,” he said.
Fresh attack on broad-based arrangement
Omondi’s remarks are the latest indication of the widening divisions that have emerged within ODM following the party’s cooperation with President Ruto through the broad-based government framework.
The arrangement, born out of a political agreement between UDA and ODM after the 2024 protests, has seen several ODM leaders take up positions within government while the party has maintained that it remains independent.
However, a section of ODM leaders aligned to the Linda Mwananchi movement has repeatedly accused the party leadership of abandoning its opposition role and failing to hold the government accountable.
Linda Mwananchi expands political tours
The remarks came as the Linda Mwananchi movement continued its nationwide mobilisation campaign, with Taita Taveta becoming the latest stop after previous tours in several counties.
The movement, whose activities have featured leaders including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo and other opposition figures, has said its objective is to reconnect with wananchi and advocate for accountability, constitutionalism and good governance.
The Taita Taveta tour follows a series of high-profile rallies held across the country amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Political battle ahead of 2027
The continued criticism from leaders associated with Linda Mwananchi reflects the growing contest for the future of Kenya’s opposition politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
While ODM leaders backing the broad-based government argue that engagement with President Ruto is necessary to advance national stability and implement reforms, critics insist the arrangement has weakened the party’s oversight role and blurred the distinction between government and opposition.
Omondi’s latest remarks are likely to intensify debate over ODM’s political identity, particularly as the Linda Mwananchi movement continues to court supporters who feel disillusioned by the party’s cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Although ODM has consistently defended its engagement with the government as being in the national interest, leaders allied to Linda Mwananchi have vowed to continue challenging what they describe as attempts to silence alternative voices within the party and the broader opposition.