Otiende Amollo accuses Ruto of using police to silence ODM dissent
By Eric Juma, February 19, 2026Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Vice Chair and Rarieda Member of Parliament (MP) Otiende Amollo has asked President William Ruto to stop using police to silence dissenting voices in the ODM party, as that ignites chaos that causes deaths and destruction of property.
Speaking while disbursing a Ksh38 million bursary to students at St Mathews Kandaria Mixed Secondary School in Rarieda constituency on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the lawmaker said that Kenyans should not be intimidated or coerced to back the ODM faction supporting the broad-based government arrangement.
“The state machinery should not coerce Kenyans or intimidate them to back the ODM faction embracing broad-based government,” Amollo said.
He further condemned the Kitengela chaos that left one man dead and property destroyed, saying it could have been avoided.
“President Ruto should rein in the police and refrain from attacking persons expressing their democratic opinions in a lawful gathering, as was the case in Kitengela,” he said.
“The life that was lost in Kitengela is to be regretted. It’s not because the young man is a Luo; no life should be lost in any manner where there is a democratic expression of opinion.”
Adding: “The fact that I am contented over an issue does not mean other Kenyans are content and vice versa, and if not contented, it is our democratic right to express our discontentment as long as it’s lawful.”
Otiende went ahead to note that there was nothing wrong with ODM factions holding meetings anywhere, and whoever feels comfortable with any meeting can attend.
ODM-UDA pact
He also declared that ODM and UDA’s 2027 political deal is unstoppable, and it shall be cemented in a legally binding document.
Otiende said that the decision made so far, as far as ODM is concerned, is that they shall enter a structured negotiation with like-minded parties, but starting with UDA.
“The only decision made by the National Executive Council and to be endorsed by the National Delegates Conference is to engage in a structured negotiation with UDA and other like-minded parties. Anything beyond that are expressions of opinions, which are allowed in our party,” he remarked.
ODM NDC
Otiende has said that the NDC call on March 27, 2026, will bring on board members, including those with divergent opinions.
“NDC has been called on March 27, 2026; it is expected that anyone with divergent opinions will attend and air their opinions, and the majority will carry the day,” he said.
NG-CDF court ruling
Otiende, at the same time, lauded the Court of Appeal for terming NG-CDF constitutional, hence retaining it.
“I am in a celebratory mood, because until 12 days ago. The courts declared that there will be no NG-CDF this year. All projects and employees were gone, but the decision of the court was overturned by the courts of appeal,” he said.
“I led a team of 12 lawyers who are members of parliament to the courts of appeal, and we persuaded the court that there is nothing unconstitutional about NG-CDF. The Court of Appeal declared that the entire NG-CDF Act is constitutional and it’s not in competition with the counties. The funds being disbursed by counties are theirs, and how they spend it is up to them.”