Siaya Governor James Orengo has stated that it is President William Ruto who needs the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), and not vice versa.

Speaking during the ODM at 20 celebrations in Mombasa, Orengo criticised some party members for acting as if ODM is in desperate need of the president’s support. He said the reality is the opposite, pointing out that Ruto has failed to deliver on promises to Kenyans, which is why he relies on ODM for his reelection.

Orengo, who has consistently been critical of broad-based political arrangements, said that some party members behave as if ODM depends on Ruto, instead of recognising that it is Ruto who needs the party.

“Ruto needs ODM; it is not ODM that needs Ruto. There are people at the party. They are behaving as if ODM is the one that needs Ruto.” Orengo stated

He warned that liberation parties, which are on the level of ODM across Africa, are dying because they have forgotten their people, citing examples in Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and other countries where historic parties have lost relevance.

According to Orengo, ODM risks following suit should it continues with its current trajectory

With most members within the orange party being obsessed with the broad-based arrangement, he warned ODM leadership to remember that the party belongs to the people, and they should not alow the party to enter blindly into the broad-based setup.

He hailed the recently appointed ODM party leader Oburu Odinga, for assuring members that the party wont be swallowed by anyone

“ODM is a party of the people, by the people, and for the people,” he said.

Orengo questioned the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 elections, asking what would become of ODM if Ruto became president.

ODM’s original glory

 He reminded members of the hard-fought struggle to establish a multiparty system and praised Raila Odinga’s legacy, saying it surpasses that of all four former Kenyan presidents combined.

He also expressed concern over some members’ obsession with Ruto’s reelection, with them saying it’s either ODM forms a government or becomes part of the government. He labelled these moves as an act of cowardice, insisting that in the world of politics, one must set his record clear on where they want to be and not sit on the fence.

According to Orengo, ODM has lost the intensity and resilience it was known for in opposing government excesses byentering the broad-based arrangement.

He said attempts to flatter Ruto are misguided, stressing that ODM has now resorted to flattering and going slow on Ruto instead of maintaining a hard stance as it was known for in the past.