Caroli Omondi: Only Mbadi and Wandayi had Raila’s blessing to say ‘two-term’ for Ruto
By Cy Muganda, December 24, 2025Suba South Member of Parliament Caroli Omondi has revealed that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga gave explicit instructions that only two Cabinet Secretaries should publicly endorse President William Ruto’s re-election bid using the phrase “two-term.”
Speaking during an interview on a local television station on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Omondi disclosed that Raila specifically restricted the use of the “two-term” phrase to Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi (National Treasury) and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), both senior ODM leaders serving in the Kenya Kwanza government.
“Baba’s instructions were that only Mbadi and Wandayi should say two-term. The rest, no,” Omondi stated emphatically.
Explicit instructions to MPs
The MP, who chairs the National Assembly’s Committee on Implementation and Oversight of the Constitution, challenged any legislator who might dispute his account to come forward.
According to Omondi, Raila was categorical in instructing ODM Members of Parliament not to publicly express support for Ruto’s second-term ambitions.
“He told us not to say two-term. And if any MP wants to contradict that, let them try. And we will tell them where they were told so,” Omondi said.
Omondi revealed that only one MP was granted permission to occasionally endorse Ruto’s second term, following a special request.
“Only Sam Atandi raised his hand, that he said, I’m also a member of the Budget Committee. Allow me to sometimes say this,” the Suba South MP disclosed.
He indicated that Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi received Raila’s approval to use the phrase based on his role in the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee, though even this was limited to occasional mentions rather than a blanket authorisation.
Split factions
The disclosure comes amid ongoing debates within ODM about the party’s future direction following Raila’s October 2025 passing, with various factions disagreeing on whether to continue supporting the Broad-Based Government or return to opposition.
Speaking during a fundraiser in Borabu Constituency on Friday, November 21, 2025, Sifuna said he was aware of ODM members pushing policies favourable to Ruto despite publicly backing the party’s leadership.
“Hao ndugu zetu wako ODM ambao wanasema wanasupport hio kitu inaitwa Broad based, ni sawa support lakini msifikirie nyinyi ni wajanja sana,” he said.
He also claimed that the moves were undermining ODM’s internal cohesion.
“Hao wajanja wanajificha ODM na kuskuma sera za William Ruto, nataka niwaambie nyinyi sio wajanja tumewajua,” Sifuna said, stressing that he is monitoring the situation closely.