Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has leapt to the defence of Siaya Governor James Orengo and his Kisumu counterpart Anyang Nyong’o, who came under fire over their criticism of the broad-based government.

Speaking on Friday, April 25, 2025, Raila stated that the governors were within their democratic rights in expressing their opinions.

Raila noted that the ODM duo made their views public over a topic that his party has been championing.

“I said we are in a democracy, and in a democracy, everyone has a right to expression. As ODM, we decided to enter into an agreement with the government. That doesn’t mean we have all become part of the government,” Raila clarified.

“There is no coalition between UDA and ODM, but an arrangement which was based on an MOU signed between us in the open daylight; there are 10 clear points. So I don’t see why people are bickering. When James Orengo talks, he is talking on the basis of the MOU between ODM and UDA. Orengo has not committed any crime; he has a democratic right to say what he said. When Nyongo talks about devolution, he is talking the language of ODM,” he stated. 

Raila also reiterated ODM’s position in the broad-based system, emphasising that they only entered a working agreement with the government and not a coalition.

He made parallels to the US system of governance, where both administrations had members of the rival party in their cabinet.

“As the ODM party, we said we will enter into an agreement. ODM entering into an agreement with the government doesn’t mean we have entered into government,” Odinga said.

On the topic of devolution, Raila doubled down on his calls for a full implementation of the constitution that advocates for the devolution of essential services to adequately address the needs of the citizens.

“Devolution was the most important feature of this constitution. But it has not been implemented as it should be, and that is why people are not reaping the benefits.

“We have devolved some responsibilities, but we have not given the counties the power to implement those functions. Health is a devolved function, but most of the funds are held up in Nairobi. Why should the national government hold up over 1 billion shillings when the function is devolved?“ he posed.

The former PM was speaking during the funeral of Preskila Koyo, the wife of former Ker Koyo Opien.

The two allies of Raila came under a barrage of attacks following their sustained criticism of the broad-based government.

Nyong’o, in a statement titled ‘Allow Governors to Manage Devolution’, opened another warfront with Ruto over what he has termed as clawing back devolution and returning the country to the Moi era. 

The governor made reference to the ongoing spat between the county governments and the central government over the management of road funds. 

“The truth is that the Ruto regime has decided to go back to pre-devolution times of the Nyayo era,” he said.