Ruto: Powerful spirit of ODM should be given room to flourish
By Joel Masibo, November 16, 2025President William Ruto has called for the protection of political parties with a national outlook, saying they serve as the country’s bedrock of democracy.
Speaking during the 20th anniversary of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party at a Mombasa hotel on Saturday, November 15, 2025, Ruto also directed that such parties should be well utilised to drive politics of ideology rather than ethnicity or division.
As one of the surviving ODM founding members, the Head of State further urged the party membership to remain united and strong to honour the legacy of its departed leader, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Importance of political parties
”As we celebrate 20 years of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), we also honour the life and legacy of its leader, the late Honourable Raila Odinga. Baba’s rich, solid and enduring legacy continues to shape our political landscape,” Ruto said.
”It is important that the powerful spirit of ODM is given room to flourish, keeping the party united and strong, and protecting it from ever being fragmented. May ODM continue to inspire us to build and stand behind robust, progressive national political parties that serve as a bedrock of our democracy, driving politics of ideology rather than ethnicity or division,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ruto’s call for unity in ODM comes amid evident signs of fallout and cracks within the party. Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho has warned that those who have fought battles with Raila Odinga will not lie low and watch as others plot to push them out of ODM.
Cracks within ODM
Speaking during ODM@20 celebrations on Saturday, November 15, 2025, the former Mombasa Governor accused unnamed party individuals of attempting to dump others from the party, warning that such attempts would be equally countered.
“Msifikirie mtatutoa chambo au kafara. Nawaambia wengine wetu damu yetu ni moto. Ukileta tunaleta, ukitukujia tunakukujia. Mkitufukuza tutawafukuza.” He said in Swahili.
Joho’s warning comes after Raila Odinga’s younger daughter, Winnie Odinga, blasted leaders within ODM who are trying to auction off the party, adding that it is important to keep ODM strong and united.
”It is important that we defend this party. I want to tell those people that you cannot sacrifice us or get us out of the party. Some of us are capable of fighting back,” he warned.