Robert Alai urges ODM leaders to stop blackmailing Ruto over 2027 elections
By Nancy Marende, November 4, 2025Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has called on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders to exercise restraint and respect in their political engagements with President William Ruto.
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In a statement on Monday, November 3, 2025, Alai warned them against using what he termed as “blackmail as a political currency” ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Further, he cautioned some party figures who, he claimed, were issuing ultimatums to the president in the name of ODM supporters.
“ODM leaders must avoid blackmail as a currency in their engagements with H.E. William Ruto. Anyone giving the President ultimatums on behalf of supporters must know that there are some things only Baba Raila Odinga could get away with because of his experience, performance, and character in the political sphere,” Alai stated.
Additionally, he emphasised that ODM’s cooperation with President Ruto should be based on respect and mutual understanding, not threats or political demands.
“We are going to 2027 as ODM to support President Ruto without conditions. Anyone from ODM giving Ruto conditions is on a thin line of blackmail, which we won’t allow or entertain,” Alai stated.
In a metaphor rooted in Luo culture, Alai compared Ruto’s new political role to that of a guardian, describing the president as a trusted figure guiding the ODM family following the passing of their leader, Raila Odinga.
“In Luo, when your father passes on, you are left in the guardianship of an uncle. We found a loving and able uncle called William Ruto,” he said. “We are not going to engage Uncle William with threats, intimidation, or blackmail. We are going to be respectful, obedient, and loyal kids under his tender care,” he added.
His remarks come days after the ODM Central Committee has reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting the broad-based government arrangement following the death of its party leader, Raila Odinga.
Following the Central Committee meeting convened by party leaders on Monday, October 27, 2025, ODM said it remains loyal to the agreement made under Raila’s leadership and will uphold it until 2027.
“As the top leadership of this party, we shall pursue all causes he dedicated his life to, do everything within our power to uphold the unity of the party and apply lessons learnt from our departed leader and comrade in the service of the nation and the people he loved and fought for,” ODM noted in part of their resolution.
“We reiterate the commitment of the Party to the broad-based government until 2027, a relationship guided by the ten-point agenda entered into for the sake of peace and stability of the Country.”