Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has refuted claims of being a political orphan following the death of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) supremo Raila Odinga.

Speaking on Monday, October 20, 2025, the ODM governor asserted that despite the demise of the party boss, the veteran outfit would remain strong and focused

“We have those who are saying Barasa is now a political orphan. To those celebrating Raila’s death, as ODM, we are ready. Baba may be asleep, but his soldiers are ready,”he added.

Orphan

Barasa’s remarks follow concerns from political pundits that some politicians may struggle to wield influence without ODM leader Raila’s backing, with many doubting their re-election prospects.

The talks of a party on the crossroads also dominated the speeches of speakers during Sunday’s October 19, 2025, burial, with party members stressing the need for unity past the Raila era.

In her remarks, ODM Chairperson and Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga affirmed that the party will faithfully follow the late Raila Odinga’s final instructions regarding Kenya’s political direction.

“The last instruction he left us with, with a very clear mind, was that he agreed to work with your government for the stability of the nation within the broad-based government. That is the last standing instruction that Baba gave us, and as a people and as a party, that is where we will stand,” Wanga said.

She explained that in his absence, the party must continually ask itself what Raila would have done when faced with difficult decisions.

Meanwhile, Starehe Member of Parliament Amos Mwago Maina has warned ODM against allowing President William Ruto to interfere in the party, stressing that even minimal involvement could harm its legacy.

According to Mwago, the party should be wary of the sudden interests from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leader.

“The worst mistake that ODM can do, is to let Ruto insert even a toe in ODM party. We all know the narrative of bedbugs, once you carry one to your house that’s where the problem starts,” Mwago wrote in an X post dated October 20, 2025.

He further cautioned, “Ruto will make sure that ODM legacy goes down the drain. To my brother Sifuna and Babu Owino, you only have one job, just one job to protect the legacy Baba Raila Odinga left of ODM party,” directly tasking ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and MP Babu Owino with safeguarding the party’s opposition heritage.

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