ODM Leaders Tell Dissenters to Quit Party Over Support for Ruto

By Ben Okweingoti 

A section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders allied to the broad-based government has issued a stern warning to party members opposed to the cooperation with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration, daring them to quit ODM and join the opposition.

The leaders, led by Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi—who is also the Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee—and Garsen MP Ali Wario, spoke on Saturday at Kipao village in Tana Delta Sub-County, Tana River County. They were addressing residents during a fundraiser in support of youth groups.

Atandi accused dissenting ODM MPs of hypocrisy, saying many owed their electoral success to party leader Raila Odinga and were now making “noise” against the broad-based government despite ODM already backing President Ruto.

“Most of those ODM members opposing the broad-based government were elected because Raila Odinga held their hands,” Atandi said. “They fear that after Raila, they cannot be elected again. They claimed that if ODM supported Ruto they would leave the party. We are already supporting Ruto—what are they waiting for?”

He warned that rebel MPs risked being expelled from the party if they continued opposing the arrangement with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Atandi defended ODM’s decision to work with President Ruto, arguing that the current pact was formalized and more beneficial compared to the 2018 handshake between Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“We had a handshake with Uhuru Kenyatta and got no development. We were promised that Raila would be supported for the presidency in 2022, but that never happened,” he said. “This time, when Baba decided to work with Ruto, it was put in writing. That is why I am chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee and why we must work with the President.”

He urged residents of Tana River County to remain loyal to ODM and rally behind MP Ali Wario, saying unity within the party would ensure they remained in government and benefited from development.

Wario echoed Atandi’s sentiments, insisting that ODM’s participation in the broad-based government was sanctioned by Raila Odinga and would not be reversed.

“Baba left us in government,” Wario said. “Going against his decision would be like a curse. We will remain in ODM, support President Ruto, and stay in this government until 2027 and beyond.”

The remarks underscore growing internal tensions within ODM as the party navigates its cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration amid resistance from some of its members.