Siaya Governor James Orengo has fired a blunt warning to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), cautioning that any flirtation with President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid could fatally weaken the party’s national standing.
Speaking on Monday, December 29, 2025, Orengo argued that aligning with Ruto under the Broad-Based Government (BBG) banner would reduce ODM to a regional outfit confined to its Luo Nyanza stronghold. Such a move, he said, would erode decades of hard-won national relevance and transform the party into a minor political player.
“It is evident that some forces are trying to lure ODM into arrangements that make little sense. If we collaborate with UDA, we risk being pushed back into Luo Nyanza and losing our national footprint,” Orengo warned.
The veteran politician reiterated his long-standing opposition to the Broad-Based Government arrangement, insisting it undermines ODM’s core identity as a national opposition force. He urged party leaders to avoid political shortcuts and carefully weigh the long-term consequences of coalition deals driven by short-term gains.
According to Orengo, ODM’s survival and growth depend on boldly charting its own path — including fielding a presidential candidate to challenge the incumbent in 2027. He cautioned that internal actors seeking to “auction” the party for personal advantage pose a serious threat to its unity, credibility and future influence.
Orengo’s remarks have once again exposed deepening fault lines within ODM. He is part of a faction opposed to cooperation with Ruto, alongside figures such as Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna. This camp accuses the pro-Ruto wing — associated with leaders including Oburu Odinga, Gladys Wanga, Abdulswamad Nassir, Junet Mohamed and Simba Arati — of pushing the party toward an alliance that could dilute its political soul.
The pro-Ruto faction, however, maintains that the late Raila Odinga supported engagement with the Kenya Kwanza administration and that the party should honour that position. The dispute has intensified pressure on ODM’s leadership to decisively define the party’s direction ahead of the next General Election.
In a related development, Orengo also broke his silence on his personal political future, saying his 2027 decision would be shaped by how national politics evolves. Speaking during an NTV interview on Monday night, the governor said he had not yet settled on whether he would defend his seat, seek another office or pursue a broader national role.
“Whatever choice I make will be determined by what is happening in national politics,” Orengo said, signalling a cautious, strategic approach as alliances continue to shift.
Political analysts say Orengo’s hardline stance could significantly reshape ODM’s internal dynamics, forcing leaders to confront a defining question: remain a nationally competitive party or risk political marginalisation through alignment with the ruling establishment.
As the 2027 contest looms, ODM now faces a pivotal moment — one that could determine whether it retains its national appeal or retreats into regional politics.
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