Political analyst Barrack Muluka has weighed in on Kenya’s shifting political terrain, dismissing ODM’s current relevance and painting a grim picture of its future while singling out Kalonzo Musyoka as the only grounded potential leader in the opposition space.

Speaking during an interview on K24 TV on Friday, August 1, 2025, Muluka criticised ODM for abandoning its ideological foundation in favour of blind loyalty to Raila Odinga, whom he described as a waning political force. He argued that the party has morphed into a cult-like structure centred on the idolization of a leader who, in his view, has outlived his political relevance.

“Odinga is ODM, and ODM is Raila Odinga, but ODM is not Jesus Christ. It is just a political formation full of conmen like others, it is full of hero worshippers, people who worship outside an empty shrine inside which there is an idol, and that idol is Raila Odinga,” Muluka added

He warned that such blind loyalty is dangerous to democratic growth, adding that the party is imploding under its weight due to a lack of clear direction beyond Odinga’s ambitions.

He further likened the veteran politician to a flat tyre, saying, “ODM is in a slow puncture, and Odinga himself has been a slow-punctured politician for some time now. When he joined ranks with Mr. William Ruto, he started accelerating towards a complete flat. Within that space, one way or the other, ODM will implode,” he stated

His focus on the opposition

Turning his focus to the broader opposition landscape, Muluka identified Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as a more stable alternative, despite his past political missteps.

“Kalonzo Musyoka stands out as a probable one. He has been in the space, and it is possible to point out his low moments, for example, when he was the Deputy Speaker, he shut down some media houses from Parliament because of how they had reported his initial stand and attitude towards multiparty democracy in the ’80s and ’90s,” Muluka noted.

However, he argued that Kalonzo’s political track record, while flawed, has been less antagonistic to the public compared to other leaders currently positioning themselves for power.

Dr. Muluka also reiterated his criticism of President William Ruto’s leadership, saying he had no business telling the opposition to sell alternative agendas when his administration is already failing.

“He has failed the test of the government, complete with the people around him, the deputy president, cabinet, speakers of the National Assembly and Senate, and worst of all, Parliament,” he said.

In his parting shot, Muluka urged Kenyans to reject political personalities who rely on empty rhetoric and misplaced loyalty, emphasising the need to rebuild the country’s leadership on integrity, service, and competence.