Ruth Odinga reaffirms stance on backroom deals to sell ODM party
By Luke Oluoch, December 26, 2025Kisumu Woman representative Ruth Odinga has reiterated her firm rejection of rumours about backroom deals to sell or merge the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
In a statement on her X page on Thursday, December 26, 2025, Ruth emphasised the need for the party to remain united and reject attempts to be taken over by any person.
She further made reassurances that all political negotiations undertaken so far by the party have been done on a united front.
ODM cannot be sold
“ODM is a strong party, and we must remain so!!!! All negotiations so far have been done with our strength and unity. We cannot sell our party!!! ODM A PARTY OF NATIONAL UNITY,” her statement read.
Ruth’s assertions come a day after she proposed being considered as the party’s presidential candidate if no suitable candidate can be settled upon within the party.
In a statement on Christmas Day, Ruth posited that her party is a robust outfit with the ability to field a presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in 2027.
“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.
Divisions in ODM
Her remarks came amid internal division on the direction the party should take following the death of its leader, Raila Odinga.
Sharp divisions have been witnessed among the officials over 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.
Mombasa governor Abduswamad Nassir has advised the party official to approach the negotiation table and iron out their differences in principle on the party’s future.