Kasmuel McOure: ODM youth won’t accept any coalition with Gachagua
By Kiprono Keileb, November 9, 2025The youth wing of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has drawn a clear line on political alliances, declaring that it will not participate in any coalition that includes former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as a principal.
In a statement posted on X on Sunday, November 9, 2025, ODM youth leader Kasmuel McOure emphasised the youth’s unwavering stance against working with the DCP leader, citing ideological differences and past actions he says have destabilised the country.
“While the ODM Party prides itself on progressive politics and bears an eternal optimism for consensus and coalition-building towards a better Kenya, we, the youth of ODM, must state categorically: we shall not be part of any formation that includes Rigathi Gachagua as a principal,” McOure said.
He added that no claims of strategic partnerships could sway them. “However progressive a leader may appear, whether within our ranks in ODM or without, they will not convince us to work with Rigathi Gachagua. We will continue to put pressure on those among us who are sympathetic to his politics, attempting to coax us by claiming it is ‘strategic’ not to provoke him,” he stated.
McOure criticised Gachagua for what he described as outdated political ideas and manipulative tactics, noting that the former Deputy President’s attempts to influence ODM members through demonstrations and cabinet negotiations were unacceptable.
“He should not pretend to have opposed the Finance Bill; he is on record boasting about how they would ‘teach ODM legislators who voted NO a lesson. He has also recently admitted, in one of his characteristic outbursts of verbal diarrhoea, that he used our demonstrations to negotiate cabinet slots for his tribesmen. Despicable!” McOure said.
The ODM youth leader further affirmed their commitment to the Broad-Based Arrangement established by the late Raila Odinga. “We shall remain within the Broad-Based Arrangement where Raila Odinga left us, and we shall push for all reforms necessary for a more prosperous Kenya within this framework,” he said.
McOure also called on the Kenya Kwanza administration to deliver on key youth demands, including economic, social, and political empowerment, police reforms, and compensation for victims of police brutality.
“The Kenya Kwanza administration must not slack either. We expect economic, social, and political empowerment, comprehensive police reforms, and compensation for victims of police brutality as a matter of urgency. You must work double-time to ensure this is achieved. This is our only condition for continued support as the youth,” he concluded.
“As we say in the OYL: Haiwi bila sisi. There will be nothing about us without us!” McOure concluded, leaving no doubt about the youth wing’s stance.