Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has called on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to stop targeting former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and instead highlight what it has achieved under the broad-based government.

Taking to X on Saturday, January 17, 2026, Salasya criticised ODM’s approach, saying the party risks alienating voters by focusing on old rivalries.

Salasya said the party should change their tactics from attacking Rigathi Gachagua and rebuild the party by telling Kenyans what they have achieved from a broad-based government. He added that the arrangement is now two years old and questioned ODM’s progress beyond Gachagua’s impeachment.

“ODM must change their tactics from attacking H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, EGH and rebuilding their party by telling Kenyans what they have achieved from the broad-based arrangement, which is now 2 years old and apart from impeaching Riggy, what else have they achieved?” he posted.

Salasya specifically singled out Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang for repeated attacks on Gachagua.

“This one must first reach Ruaraka mp TJ, his consistency baseless attacks on Riggy is boring.”

UDA, ODM begin talks

The remarks come as President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) recently approved the start of structured negotiations with ODM ahead of the 2027 elections. The party’s National Executive Committee directed leadership to establish mechanisms for engaging ODM to strengthen their political partnership and negotiate a coalition agreement.

The discussions follow the broad-based pact signed in March 2025, which included a 10-point agenda covering development, youth empowerment, and regional inclusivity. Western region governors, including Fernandes Barasa of Kakamega and Ken Lusaka of Bungoma, have backed the initiative, citing its importance in continuing regional development and supporting Ruto’s re-election bid.

The broad-based government was formed after Gachagua’s impeachment, when President Ruto brought ODM into cooperation amid Gen Z protests and economic pressures. In March 2025, Ruto and the late ODM leader Raila Odinga signed a memorandum outlining a ten-point agenda for collaboration.

This included inclusivity, strengthening devolution, auditing public debt, youth empowerment, constitutional adherence, equitable appointments, and reparations for protest victims.