ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna delivering his speech during the party's 20th anniversary celebration in Mombasa.SIFUNA, X
Forces opposed to President William Ruto within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have resurfaced with renewed confidence, declaring that the party does not need Ruto for its political survival.
Instead, they argue, it is the President who is banking on ODM’s national appeal to stabilise his footing ahead of the 2027 race.
Led by Siaya Governor James Orengo and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the leaders cautioned unnamed leaders in their camp against acting desperate.
"We want a government that is accountable and now, as we speak, I dare say, Ruto needs ODM, it's not ODM that needs Ruto. Do you hear me? There are people in the party behaving as if ODM is the one that needs Ruto," Orengo fired.
"It is Ruto that needs ODM. I am not afraid to say, I have nothing to fear but fear. I was very happy when Dr Oburu (Oginga) said ODM will not be swallowed."
Orengo and Sifuna also dismissed claims that the Orange Party is incapable of producing a candidate to challenge Ruto, insisting the outfit is not short of leaders who can rise to the occasion.
"Tell me if, in 2027, you make Ruto the president, where does that leave ODM? I don't know why this party is becoming a party of cowards,” Orengo stated.
Sifuna called on ODM members to avoid buying into the narrative that the party cannot field a candidate, insisting that they can send Ruto home if they all rally behind one of them.
“There are people claiming that within ODM no one can become President, I want to tell you if we rally behind any one of us, we shall win the elections. Let us go back to our roots, let us not be people who are begging what can be rightfully ours,” Sifuna said.
The renewed bravado follows a stern warning issued by Raila Odinga’s daughter, who cautioned that ‘some people want to sell the party at night.
“I have heard there are those who walk with us during the day and then try to sell our party at night. ODM was not born or made in a bedroom, so its future will not be discussed as pillow talk. ODM has been the heartbeat of the Kenyan people for 20 years, and it was born from protest and raised in resistance,” Winnie who also attended the Youth convention, said.
Her comments appear to have energised hardliners who have long opposed any rapprochement with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
