Why ODM leaders are clashing over Ruto's broad-based government

The Orange Democratic Movement imploded over its future in the so-called broad-based government and President William Ruto's quest to take over the party to bolster his 2027 re-election bid.

If Ruto hoped that the party's 20th anniversary would be his coronation to take over the movement the late Raila Odinga painstakingly built, he was wrong.

It was not clear that President Ruto would join the ODM leaders for the 'invite-only' dinner at White Sands Hotel. ODM leaders had confirmed on Friday that he would.

Yesterday, ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Siaya Governor James Orengo, and Raila’s daughter Ms Winnie Odinga told questioned ODM’s existence in the broad-based government.

Ms Odinga said the broad-based agreement lapsed after Raila's demise. She called for the ODM National Delegate Conference (ODM) to discuss the party’s future.

“There is a complication about the broad-based relationship. There is a need for a National Delegates Conference (NDC) for the people to choose who will manage the broad-based government relationship. Broad-based was well understood and managed by Baba,” she said.

ODM Party Leader Dr  Oburu Odinga claimed that there was a faction out to betray Raila after his leadership was put to question by Ms Odinga and Babu Owino.

“I worked with Raila for the last 80 years, and I have never betrayed him, unlike some politicians here who are saying they are with him, and yet they have betrayed him,” said Oburu.

Dr Oburu said he was also fit to lead the party after being endorsed by the party governing council as the party leader on Friday despite some grumbling in the party over his advanced age.

Joho, Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary; Homa Bay and ODM chairperson Governor Glady Wangi; Deputy Party Leaders Godfray Osotsi and Abdulswamad Nassir; and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed strongly made the case for the broad-based government and support for Ruto.

In reference to claims that some leaders are auctioning the party to Ruto, Joho said he sacrificed his life for ODM, and nobody will turn him into a sacrificial lamb and push him out of the party.

“I sacrificed a lot for the party, and I will resist anybody trying to make me a sacrificial lamb,” he said. Joho challenged the new ODM leadership to take responsibility and unite the members.

Ms Wanga said Raila left a united party, and hence they should remain in the broad-based government until 2027, when members will be asked to choose the direction of the party.

“Baba left us united in the broad-based government. In 2027, party members will decide which direction we will take. For now, we should reach out to Kenyans and strengthen the party,” she advised.

Mr Osotsi told members to respect Raila and ODM and push for the implementation of the 10-point agenda that the departed party leader agreed with President Ruto on.

“If we respect Raila and ODM, we should push for the implementation of the 10-point agenda that addresses the killing of our youth, free and fair elections and cost of living,” he said.

Deputy party leader Simba Arati called for discipline to protect the party from collapse, warning that the new leadership will firmly deal with those who do not respect the decisions of the party.

“There must be discipline in ODM. We cannot allow anyone to break up the party. We will push them out before they cause the party to collapse,” he warned.

He said ODM has an agreement with the broad-based government that runs up to 2027, when the party will make a decision.

“We are going to ask Ruto to implement the 10-point agenda. In 2027, we will be at the national leadership table. We are not going to return to the opposition,” he said.

Deputy party leader Abdulswamad Nassir said ODM was born out of a national referendum and not tribal bigotry, and he will not be apologetic about being in the broad-based government.

“Oburu is our party leader, and before you reach him, you will have to pass through me,” said Nassir, adding that ODM has been strong because of its ideology and ideals that Raila stood for.

National Treasury CS John Mbadi said the party was built on the basis of civil liberty and that there was value in demonstrations and boardroom discussions where necessary.

“Raila taught us to go to the streets when necessary and go to the boardrooms when necessary,” he said, adding that the party’s future was guaranteed in the broad-based government.

Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi said Raila had the ability to unite members and urged the new leaders to do so to make the party strong.

“The agenda of the party is to ascend to leadership, and I support the decision by ODM to work with UDA in the broad-based government,” he said.

However, Babu Owino electrified the crowd when he questioned how the election of new ODM leaders was carried out in Mombasa, where Oburu was confirmed as party leader, saying there was a need to give everybody an opportunity for such a position.

He said he deserved to get a national position but wondered why he was locked out when leaders met in Mombasa and confirmed positions for top leadership.

“Several people here got positions in the party that they do not deserve. Do you think I do not deserve to be party leader?” he posed.

Owino said the late ODM founder Raila was used as a bridge and ladder by many people to rise to higher levels.

“Baba was used as a bridge for people to cross to the other side. Babu was used as a ladder by people to rise to higher levels. I want to tell you to rise with strength. I know we are stronger than our oppressors,” he said.

He said ODM will go for street demonstrations if prices of commodities rise or when the cost of living continues to be high.

Ruth Odinga adopted a reconciliatory tone, saying, “This party is inclusive. The small squabbles are part of the ODM politics. The party accommodates divergent views.”

However, Junet Mohamed said that the party has well-defined structures that should be respected and allowed to make decisions. “If we fail to do so, we have pieces of the ODM,” he said.

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi said Raila transcended tribal politics and has followers across the country, but he warned some people could easily destroy the party through divisive politics. He called f

“Let us not destroy this party. Unity should be the basis of respect. Let us respect Oburu Odinga just like Baba Raila Odinga and abide by decisions of the party,” he said.

Kajiado governor Joseph ole Lenku said he was celebrating the life of Baba for defending the minorities like the Maasai, whom he belonged to.

“I beseech you, our leaders led by Oburu Odinga, to steady and make ODM strong. You should protect the party,” he said.

Kakamega governor Ferdinand Barasa said Raila was a devolution hero and urged members to follow his ideals. “The king is dead, but long live the crowd.

“We are in broad-based because it is where Baba left us. ODM remains a strong party in Kakamega. It is the party to beat, and come 2027, we will ensure the party is strong and is not swallowed by anybody,” he said.