Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo has poured cold water on rising political speculation that Raila Odinga secretly guaranteed President William Ruto long-term support beyond 2027, dismissing the claims as political fiction being peddled by individuals seeking relevance after Raila’s exit from the local political stage.
Speaking on Saturday, November 29, Amollo said the country was now witnessing a wave of opportunistic voices claiming private access to Raila, despite never being close to him.
“After losing Raila Odinga, all sorts of things are happening. People Raila never even spoke to are now claiming, ‘Raila told me this in private.’ The only believable thing is what Raila said publicly — not whispered fantasies,” Amollo stated.
According to the MP, Raila’s actual position was straightforward: ODM would cooperate with the Kenya Kwanza administration only until 2027, after which the party would make an independent decision based on the political landscape at the time.
“Raila clearly said we will be in this government up to 2027. Beyond 2027, it is those of us alive then who will decide. Nobody should lie that Raila committed us to remain with Ruto past that. We may, or we may not,” he added.
The debate comes as Siaya Governor James Orengo continues to emerge as one of the strongest internal voices urging ODM to step out of the Broad-Based Government arrangement sooner rather than later.
Orengo — a long-time Raila ally and one of the party’s ideological pillars — has repeatedly argued that ODM risks losing its identity and political leverage if it remains overshadowed inside the Kenya Kwanza-led structure. His sentiments have emboldened a growing faction within the party that wants ODM to reposition itself as the anchor of a fresh opposition movement ahead of the 2027 polls.
Insiders note that Orengo has been quietly but firmly rallying ODM lawmakers to avoid any commitments that appear to extend the political truce with Ruto beyond its intended lifespan. His stance now aligns seamlessly with Amollo’s latest clarification: ODM’s cooperation was always transitional — not permanent.
Amollo’s remarks also challenge earlier declarations by a section of ODM leaders who have strongly suggested that the party might support Ruto’s re-election bid.
Earlier in the year, Kisumu Senator Prof. Tom Ojienda claimed ODM was ready to back Ruto for a second term as part of a wider coalition arrangement — even hinting at an ODM running mate.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi had also stated that ODM’s collaboration with Ruto was “steadfast” and would extend beyond 2027.
These declarations now appear increasingly out of sync with the dominant narrative emerging from key party strategists like Orengo and Amollo.
With Raila’s public position reaffirmed, the internal tug-of-war for ODM’s future direction is only intensifying.
The party must now decide whether:
to honour the 2027 expiry of the cooperation deal and step back into full opposition as Orengo advocates, or
to explore a deeper political merger with Ruto, as proposed by Ojienda and Wandayi.
One thing, however, is now clear:
Any claim that Raila privately promised ODM’s long-term allegiance to Ruto is political fiction.
As 2027 approaches, ODM stands on the brink of one of its biggest post-Raila decisions — a defining moment that could reshape Kenya’s political architecture for years.
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