Ndegwa Njiru: ODM leaders are using Raila’s political departure to manipulate supporters in UDA talks
By Aloys Michael, February 4, 2026Human rights activist and constitutional advocate Ndegwa Njiru has launched a scathing critique of sections of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership, accusing them of weaponising Raila Odinga’s death to manipulate party supporters and justify alignment with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Njiru argues that ODM leaders currently negotiating with UDA are deliberately invoking the late Raila Odinga’s name and legacy to instil fear, suppress internal debate, and demand unquestioning loyalty, even though the party’s constitution does not vest ODM’s decision-making authority in any single individual.
“They are trying to invoke the spirit of a person who has departed politically to instil fear, so that people cannot think independently. This is not about Raila. It is about justifying their own continued association with power,” Njiru said during an interview on a local TV station on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
Key to his argument is the ODM Constitution, which, he notes, is explicit on leadership legitimacy. According to him, ODM currently has no substantive party leader until a National Delegates Conference (NDC) is convened.
“I understand from what I heard Sifuna say that a party leader is determined by the National Delegates Conference. It therefore means that currently, there is no party leader for ODM until that conference is held,” he stated.
This, he argues, fatally undermines claims by some ODM officials that the party must remain in government simply because Raila left us there.
“Raila Odinga did not leave with the ability and capacity of ODM to make decisions. He left and said the party should make up its own mind, free to decide,” Njiru urged.
ODM gamble?
Amid post-Raila ODM jitters, Njiru insists the choice to step back from ODM’s frontline partisan control must be respected, not exploited.
“I advise them to let His Excellency Raila Odinga rest. Rest from being used as a political shield.”
According to Njiru, portraying ODM’s participation in the broad-based government as Raila’s irrevocable wish is dishonest and dangerous.
“So are they telling us that because Raila entered a broad-based government, ODM will never again contest the presidency? Is ODM finished as an opposition party forever?” he posed.
Oburu’s mixed signals
Njiru’s remarks come amid intensifying ODM-UDA talks ahead of the 2027 General Election, where senior ODM figures, including Oburu Odinga, have issued carefully calibrated statements.
Speaking in Kisumu on February 2, 2026, Oburu dismissed speculation that he seeks the deputy presidency, saying ODM does not intend to unseat DP Kithure Kindiki.
“Do not think that we want your seat. You are our friend,” Oburu said.
Yet Oburu also left the door open for ODM to negotiate for a deputy presidential slot, stressing that the party and his community must receive their rightful share, a shift from his November 2025 position that ODM would not settle for anything less than the DP post.
Njiru interprets these mixed signals as evidence of internal contradiction and political self-preservation, not principled negotiation.
“These guys are lying to us. They are using Raila’s political departure to manipulate ODM supporters into loyalty and allegiance,” he said.