Kisii Governor has appealed to President William Ruto, his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka to rejoin the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The ODM deputy leader, after leading a delegation to Bondo on Saturday, October 25, 2025, spoke in Kisumu and extended an olive branch to the trio, insisting that their presence would help the party prepare to form the next government.

Without holding back, Simba Arati informed a small group of his supporters in the Lakeside region that ODM needs to win the 2027 elections to receive blessings from the late Raila Odinga.

“Mimi kama deputy party leader, tumeambia William Ruto, mweshimiwa Uhuru Kenyatta hata Kalonzo walikuwa ODM. Tunawaambia kwa kumpea heshima Baba, wao wakuje kutoka pale tujiunge pamoja katika ODM (As the deputy party leader, we would like to tell William Ruto, Uhuru Kenyatta, and Kalonzo, who were members of OD,M to rejoin the party so that we can accord Raila Odinga his respect),” Arati stated.

“Chama cha ODM lazima kishinde kura 2027 ndiposa Baba atubariki tukiendelea mbele (ODM party must win the 2027 polls so that Raila will bless us going forward,” the Kisii governor retorted.

At the moment, Ruto is aligned with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Uhuru is pushing to revive the Jubilee Party, and Kalonzo was recently endorsed by the Wiper Patriotic Front as its presidential candidate for the 2027 General Elections.

His latest sentiments came days after he assured Ruto that ODM would make him its flagbearer if he joined the party ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“The President yesterday said he is going to ensure that ODM remains the party it is. I want to urge him today, Mheshimiwa Ruto — you were a founding member of ODM. How I wish that you come back to your former party,” Arati said during Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kisii.

“If you came back to ODM, then we would have you as our flag bearer. If you came back, we would fulfil the promise Baba had a vision for.”

Party remains strong

Simultaneously, Arati refuted assertions that ODM would not withstand the challenges that followed Raila Odinga’s demise. The Kisii governor emphasised that he would defend the political outfit and keep Raila’s legacy alive.

“Tumesema kwamba Baba aende salama na chama cha ODM kitasimama imara. Hakuna watu ambao watauza chama,” Arati stated.