Senior leaders from Nyanza on Sunday mounted one of their strongest political endorsements yet of President William Ruto's re-election bid.

They restated they will stand by the broad-based government and urged the region to rally behind the President in the general election.

ODM leader Oburu Oginga, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, Treasury CS John Mbadi, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Interior PS Raymond Omollo and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed made the call.

They spoke during the funeral of Daniel Wandayi, the brother of the Energy CS.

The coordinated messages signalled a renewed push by the ODM wing working with the Kenya Kwanza administration to defend the broad-based arrangement and counter growing pressure from critics urging the party to return to the opposition.

Wandayi urged residents to support the government's development agenda before making their verdict at the ballot.

"Let us work and when it gets to 2027, we vote for Ruto to get his second term as president," he said.

Wandayi's remarks came as debate intensifies over ODM's place in government following the cooperation agreement between Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga (deceased).

Mbadi dismissed claims that ODM's primary role should be to oppose the government, arguing the party's constitution does not restrict it to the opposition benches.

He said some leaders were misleading the public by portraying perpetual opposition as ODM's defining mission.

"I recently read in a newspaper that someone is advising ODM to focus on being in the opposition, claiming that it is our duty and responsibility to keep the government in check. This is a misconception," Mbadi said.

"There is nowhere in the ODM constitution that specifies it is our sole objective to keep the government in check."

He argued that communities that isolate themselves from government risk missing out on development opportunities.

"While we are in opposition, other people are moving ahead in terms of development and progress. Every community and every person must safeguard and protect their own interests," he said.

Mbadi's remarks appeared aimed at critics within ODM who have questioned the party's continued cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

ODM national chairperson Wanga said the party had initially been uncertain about joining the broad-based government but was now fully convinced it had made the right choice.

She said comments by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had strengthened the party's resolve.

"We were initially confused about supporting this broad-based government. We could not honestly say we were clear in our minds," Wanga said.

"But the other day, I heard Gachagua saying the reason he fell out with President Ruto was because the President started engaging Raila and ODM."

She said that position had removed any lingering doubts within the party.

"Because he sees us as people he cannot share the same political space with, we are now more convicted, more convinced and more ready than ever. We are going all-in to support this broad-based government and stand firmly behind President Ruto as we move forward."

Her remarks amounted to one of the clearest declarations yet by the ODM chairperson that the party intends to remain firmly aligned with the Ruto administration ahead of the next election.

PS Omollo urged leaders and citizens to embrace dialogue instead of political confrontation, saying development should not be sacrificed because of differences over politics.

"We should humble ourselves and create an environment that allows our leaders to engage with us openly," he said.

"Whether the issue is education or employment opportunities for our people, we should address it through dialogue, free from conflict and discrimination."

Omollo said leaders and citizens should work together to ensure political disagreements do not derail development.

"Let us build a society where leaders do not fear the people and the people do not fear their leaders," he said.

 Junet also appealed for peaceful politics following the latest by-elections, saying electoral contests should unite rather than divide Kenyans.

He said recent by-elections had been conducted peacefully, with different parties emerging victorious in different constituencies.

"In Kasipul, ODM won, and in Mbeere North, UDA won. Even when they celebrate, they should do so peacefully," Junet said.

He reminded politicians that presidential elections are decided by the entire country rather than individual regions.

"Kenya is not for one group. It is a big country. The 2027 election is about the whole nation, not just one village," he said.

The leaders' remarks are likely to deepen debate over the future of ODM's cooperation with Ruto, even as sections of the opposition continue to campaign against the broad-based arrangement.

Their united appearance also underscored efforts by the President's allies to consolidate support in Nyanza, traditionally regarded as Raila's political stronghold, ahead of the 2027 contest.