Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has stated that if the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) does not find a suitable person as its presidential candidate, they should consider her.

In a statement shared on her social media on Thursday, December 25, 2025, while in Nyamira village in Bondo, the Kisumu Woman MP declared that her party is a robust party with the ability to field a presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in 2027.

She continued to urge party members to help make ODM even bigger than its current stature, saying that it is each member’s duty to strengthen and expand the party beyond what Raila left behind.

“ODM is a big party, and it is upon us to make it bigger. It is entirely upon us as members to commit to making it bigger than what Hon. Raila left. This is a party capable of fronting a presidential candidate. To the ODM fraternity, if you don’t find someone suitable within ODM ranks to go for the top seat in 2027, talk to me. I am here. This is a possibility,” Ruth stated.

This is not the first time Ruth Odinga has declared interest in the top seat; she came out recently to declare that nothing can stop her from contesting for the presidency in 2027.

“Nothing stops me from contesting for the presidency in 2027,” Ruth said.

Divisions in ODM

The Orange Party is currently divided on whether to support President William Ruto in 2027 or not.

A section of leaders, led by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Vihiga Senator Geoffrey Osotsi, have come out to express their displeasure at the direction their party is taking, stating that if ODM chooses to support President William Ruto in 2027, it will become its political Waterloo.

Edwin Sifuna came out boldly to dismiss remarks by a section of leaders within the party who had stated that ODM should remain where the late Raila Odinga had left them, which is a broad-based government.

He stated that Raila never did so, recalling the late leader’s sentiments during the ODM at 20 forum in Machakos, where he warned party members against prematurely announcing the party’s decision before they had sat down to chart their 2027 political path, asking them, “Who told you that ODM won’t field a candidate in 2027?”

Raila also stated that ODM never made an agreement with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party that they should support Ruto for his reelection.

According to Sifuna, he wants the party to be guided by Raila’s last take on the ODM/UDA partnership while in Machakos.

Sifuna also warned ODM party leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga against making unilateral decisions, pleading with him not to be misled by a section of politicians within ODM who have their own intentions.

He unequivocally stated that, as the party’s Secretary General, they have not sat down as a party to decide which path they should take in 2027.

Orengo’s stance

Siaya Governor James Orengo himself came out to defend Sifuna and Osotsi, saying that ODM without the two senators is not ODM and that there are elements within the party wanting to “auction” the Orange Party to Ruto and that he has credible evidence to support his assertions.