An unprecedented boldness is sweeping through former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as more of his allies take him head on over his newfound relationship with President William Ruto.

While Raila’s alliance with Ruto was ostensibly intended to foster national unity, it has instead exposed and amplified existing divisions within ODM, casting doubt on his grip on leadership and the party’s future trajectory.

The latest boldness by some the ODM leaders taking Ruto and Raila has also raised questions over whether this could yet be another strategy by the veteran opposition chief to bolt out of the broad-based government arrangement following widespread public disenchantment.

Since its formation 20 years ago, Raila has led ODM with a fist grip, with his word being the ultimate law and those daring to question his ways and moves risking being pushed into political oblivion.

This assertiveness signals a recalibrated strategy by ODM members, as more of his staunch allies stand up to push him back against perceived overreach by President Ruto’s regime—demanding transparency, fidelity to the Constitution, and protection of devolution without fear of political retribution.

On Thursday, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna launched a scathing attack on Dr Ruto, accusing him of weakening the country’s Constitution and undermining independent institutions.

The vocal senator claimed that the President has deliberately moved to capture key democratic structures that were designed to operate independently.

Insisting that President Ruto has always been opposed to the 2010 Constitution from its formative stages, Sifuna claimed the former is out to completely kill devolution.

“We have not seen the President defending devolution. He has become an enemy of it. He has national roads to manage, and even those have overwhelmed him. So he should leave county roads to the governors, as required by the Constitution,” Sifuna said during an interview on a local radio.

Early in the week, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o joined the fray of Raila’s allies accusing President Ruto of systematically undermining devolution by attempting to centralise control of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF).

In a strongly worded statement on April 22, Nyong’o said Dr Ruto’s determination to stifle devolution amounts to a rollback of the transformative gains achieved since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.

Nyong’o, who until recently had been the acting ODM party leader, had been rattled by President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration refusal to hand over the management of roads to the devolved units.

Back to Nyayo era?

“The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) need not exist if the national government is prepared to fully implement devolution,” Nyong’o asserted, pointing to deliberate efforts by the executive to claw back constitutionally devolved functions.

Nyong’o went further, likening the current administration’s tactics to the pre-2010 “Nyayo era,” accusing the Ruto government of using a centralised control as a vehicle for alleged “primitive accumulation” at the expense of a democratic and developmental state.

He cited the health sector as an example where counties have demonstrated competence—contrasting this with what he termed as the national government’s persistent inefficiency in managing large public institutions like Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

Nyong’o’s stinging attack on the government was ignited by President Ruto’s assertions while speaking during a church service in Narok that the centralised management of RMLF would enhance efficiency as well as allow better planning, and facilitate faster road construction.

“If you leave it to me, I can gather enough funds to build all roads,” the President said, suggesting that the current disbursement model that sees counties being given funds to manage roads was inefficient and wasteful due to poor coordination at the county level.

Ruto’s proposal has faced sharp resistance not only from ODM governors but also from a cross-section of Senators who have echoed the concerns of county leaders.

Some of the ODM lawmakers argue that reclaiming control of the over Sh10.5 billion fund would amount to undermining the spirit of devolution and eroding local autonomy.

Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang tweeted early in the week that “ODM will field a candidate in 2027 General elections.’’

Kajwang’s statement is quite foretelling increasing speculation that Raila is weighing options and could either be on the 2027 ballot again for the last time or could anoint someone to take on Dr Ruto.

Another school of thought has speculated that Raila could decide to play second fiddle to one of the 2027 Presidential aspirants.

But even as OMD leaders mull over options available to them, growing defiance by some of the leaders, particularly those in county governments, like Nyong’o and Orengo may reflect a broader recalibration of the party’s posture—away from reactive politics to a more structured, issue-based opposition.

The debate over the RMLF has thus become a symbolic flashpoint, highlighting deeper tensions between the ideals of the 2010 Constitution and the centralised governance instincts of the current administration.

As the 2027 General Election approaches, several ODM leaders are reported to be secretly mulling making bold political moves that could surprise Kenyans and drive the country into another political earthquake if their latest remarks are to go by.

Last week Siaya Governor James Orengo sent tongues wagging after telling his party leadership to go slow on the broad-based arrangement.

This is even as a section of his colleagues in government put up a spirited defense of Dr Ruto’s administration saying it means well to the people of Nyanza.

There is a growing feeling, according to National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, that ODM and the Luo community in particular should play second fiddle to President Ruto due to his demonstrated political resilience and sustained promotion of unity in diversity.

“Let us support Ruto in 2027,’’ has been Mbadi’s praise song.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has been asking the Luo Community to be tolerant and embrace Dr Ruto.
But Orengo has warned him to go slow on Dr Ruto ‘praise and worship’ philosophy.

“For us we remain loyal and committed to the President’s development agenda and ODM leaders’ relentless efforts to promote national inclusivity,’’ said Wandayi. This has been their clarion call even as Orengo insisted that “they are not keen on working with Ruto.’’

His statement has since earned him the wrath of a section of Siaya MCAs who have threatened to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.

Purporting to come to the defense of Raila and Dr Ruto, Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi told Orengo to stop pulling parallel to the broad-based government initiative, which he said was good for all Kenyans.

As the push and pull continues, the political landscape is witnessing the emergence of a more vocal and ideologically anchored opposition within ODM— increasingly willing to test the limits of the Ruto regime’s tolerance against dissent.