Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has called on leaders, particularly those within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), to refrain from disrespecting the party leader, Raila Odinga, despite the growing discontent over recent association with President William Ruto.

Speaking in his constituency during an empowerment drive on Sunday, August 3, 2025, Amisi emphasised that Raila’s history in Kenyan politics should not be ignored and that any mistakes made by the current administration should not be blamed on him.

He reminded leaders of Raila’s enduring legacy and urged them to separate their frustrations with President Ruto from their respect for the ODM leader.

“We have reached a point. I want to tell leaders, ‘Do not disrespect Raila Odinga. Huyo mzee ako na historia; wachaneni na yeye makosa ya Ruto mtoe Mzee ndani, lakini nimeambia Raila. I have respected you for all these years. I have stood in a party that wasn’t predominantly a party of Saboti. I have won in this party twice against resistance against big party politics and have won twice as the only ODM MP in the entire region,” Amisi stated.

His loyalty to ODM

Amisi, who has served as the only ODM MP in the entire region, expressed his long-standing loyalty to the party, noting that he has twice won the Saboti parliamentary seat on the ODM ticket despite the constituency not being an ODM stronghold.

 He attributed his victories to the trust the people of Saboti have in good governance and education, principles he says he has championed, rather than in acts that harm young people.

“I have delivered people of Saboti to you twice because people of Saboti believe in good governance; they believe in education that I am doing in Saboti; they never believe in killing of young people,” Amisi added.

The remarks come at a time when young ODM leaders such as Amisi, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino are increasingly perceived as distancing themselves from the party. Their recent actions have been interpreted by many as a sign of discontent following Raila Odinga’s bold political association with President Ruto.