Moses Kajwang’ : ODM will not endorse Ruto’s 2027 re-election
By Eric Juma, October 30, 2025Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ has declared that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will not blindly support President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027,
He insisted that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga never paid a bride price in his political marriage with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Speaking on a vernacular FM station on Thursday, October 30, 2025, Kajwang’ said Raila’s cooperation with President Ruto was never formalised through any political pact, but rather founded on mutual understanding to stabilise the country at a time of national crisis.
“The former Premier Raila Odinga had not paid a bride price in their marriage with the Kenya Kwanza administration so as his foot soldiers desist from doing so, lest we lose strategic positions,” Kajwang’ said.
He explained that Raila’s decision to work with the government was driven by a 10-point agenda aimed at stabilising and uniting the country, not by political convenience.
“It’s true, Raila left us in a broad-based government, but no deal was inked to seal their marriage with the ruling coalition. The two principals had a mutual understanding pegged on the implementation of a 10-point agenda that aimed at stabilising the country that was then in crisis,” he explained.
Kajwang’ noted that Raila’s support was meant to give President Ruto room to govern and prevent political instability, a stance echoed by Luo Council of Elders Chairman Odungi Randa during a delegates’ meeting at Senator Oburu Oginga’s home.
“Odungi Randa captured Raila’s wish. As ODM, we were to support the ruling government in 2025, 2026, and 2027; we were to chart our political destiny. According to Raila, we were to support the government because it needed us. Pulling out would have plunged the country into crisis,” he said.
Kajwang revealed that parliamentary calculations at the time showed that if ODM had withdrawn from the arrangement, President Ruto could have faced an impeachment attempt.
“Going as per my calculation at the Senate, pulling out of ODM would have cost the President dearly because he would have been impeached, and a similar strategy could have been adopted by the National Assembly. Raila had felt that impeachment was not the best remedy, so he embraced the government to stabilise it, gain developments that would transform regions that were starved by the previous regime, and also did so out of a principle to unite the country,” he added.
However, the senator said the 2027 elections will be a different ball game, making it clear that ODM will only negotiate with the ruling coalition if it guarantees tangible benefits.
“In 2027, we must do our calculations right, and ODM must distance itself from endorsing President Ruto’s re-election bid. We cannot be a tick following the cow to the grave. We must use the party to bargain for a better stake,” he said.
Kajwang said ODM’s bargaining power lies in its influence across key regions.
“At the bargaining table, ODM will come with Western, Coast, and Luo Nation. We must have a conversation about what he is bringing to the table,” he stated.
Deputy President
He also dismissed calls by some ODM politicians to pursue the Deputy President slot, terming the position ceremonial and politically unrewarding.
“I personally do not believe in the Deputy President post following the predicaments that have befallen those who held the post in this country. Ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was recently impeached, and even the current DP does not wield power as the President. So, we must be strategic at the table. We must settle on possessions including Energy, Agriculture, Roads, Blue Economy, among others, that are key in elevating our regions economically,” Kajwang’ said.
The senator urged tolerance within ODM, cautioning against attacking leaders with differing opinions, such as Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
“If we had a choir that sang one tune, it could not be soothing. Entertaining choirs must have soprano, alto, and bass. Let’s allow Sifuna and Babu to give their ideas while within the party,” he said.
Kajwang’ further praised the ODM National Executive Council (NEC) for endorsing Oburu Oginga as party leader, saying his experience and wisdom would stabilise the party and strengthen its national reach.
“ODM is not a party of the Luo Nation; its strength depends on how its roots extend in parts of the country. We have leaders sponsored by ODM right from Western, in Coast, where we have governors sponsored by the party except Kwale, while Nairobi MPs are ODM’s,” he said.