ODM calls out MPs for discussing party’s future with political opponents
By Arnold Ngure, January 10, 2025
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has called out its members against making any public pronouncements regarding the party’s political future.
In a statement on Friday, January 10, 2025, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna in the company of the acting party leader Anyang’ Nyong’o and Deputy party leader Godfrey Osotsi restrained members from openly supporting the ruling government’s political ambitions.
“We call on our members to remember that ODM remains a distinct political party in competition with all others to win power by democratic means,” Sifuna remarked.
“To this end, we must all be guarded in our pronouncements on the future of the party and particularly refrain from beating the drums of our competitors. We must continue to strengthen ourselves in preparations for the battles ahead.”
ODM legislator on 2027
The statement comes just days after Homa Bay Township MP Opondo Kaluma said that President William Ruto will be re-elected in the 2027 polls if Raila does not run.
On Saturday, January 4, 2025, Kaluma said that Ruto will be re-elected in 2027 if former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who is currently eying for AUC chairperson does not vie for the presidency.
In addition to that, the vocal MP stated that Ruto will gain a majority of the votes from Raila’s stronghold if he does not vie in the 2027 General Election.
“I have been to Nyanza, Western, Rift Valley, North Eastern, Coast, Eastern, Central and back to Nairobi this Christmas season. I can now report that President @WilliamsRuto will be re-elected in 2027, except if Baba @RailaOdinga runs,” Kaluma said.
“Kenyans from Nyanza, Western, Rift Valley, North Eastern, Coast, Eastern and Nairobi who are 80% of Kenya’s population will vote for Ruto, if Raila does not run, to diminish tribal hegemony and entitlement by Kikuyus and to remind them that Kenya is far bigger than Mt. Kenya.”
The statements also came just weeks after Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi equally proclaimed that ODM would support Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.
“I believe that our political partnership will hold strong beyond 2027. We have decided to work with President William Ruto and will stay committed to that cause. We are part and parcel of the government and the government’s foundations remain strong. Its our responsibility to ensure the government remains strong. Let us keep supporting the president so that he can continue leading the government even beyond the next elections,” Wandayi said while on a tour of Kericho on October 11, 2024.