Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has firmly cautioned the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) against hurriedly entering a coalition agreement with the ruling party, stressing that the 2027 General Election “is not going anywhere” and that decisions must be guided by widespread grassroots consultations.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s prime-time show hosted by Trevor Ombija on Wednesday night, Ruth dismissed persistent rumours of a rift within the Odinga family, describing reported differences as healthy democratic expression rather than division.
“We are a family that has remained united, and that unity is not about to die soon,” she said. “What has been interpreted as a ‘rift’ is simply the democratic space we have always enjoyed. We cannot always agree, but we will always voice our opinions.”
The interview, which aired exactly 32 years after the death of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and just months after the passing of Raila Odinga and their sister Beryl, gave Ruth a platform to address the party’s direction in the post-Raila era.
As a founding member of ODM, Ruth declared she is neither in the “Tutam” (pro-coalition) nor “Wantam” (anti-coalition) camps. Instead, she said she fully supports the broad-based government that the late Raila Odinga helped form, complete with its ten-point reform agenda.
“ODM should not be in a hurry to enter into a coalition agreement as though it is some kind of emergency,” she stated. “Even if ODM sits still and does nothing, 2027 will come.”
She called for proper internal party processes, noting that the Central Management Committee recently met in Kilifi and that Party Chairperson John Mbadi should now convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to deliberate on the way forward.
Ruth emphasised that ODM, as a people’s movement with members “from Turkana to Kwale, from Wajir to Isebania,” must hold town hall meetings across the country to hear members’ views before any binding decision is made.
On recent public differences within the party leadership, she pointed out that tensions predated the appointment of Dr Oburu Oginga as Party Leader during a period of deep grief. “These were issues that were there even when Baba was alive,” she said, adding that Raila had planned a caucus to resolve them.
“We cannot solve ideological differences by showing people the door,” Ruth warned. “If we keep doing that, Sifuna will leave with his people, Babu Owino with his people… Who will be left?”
In a pointed remark, she questioned the source of funds apparently driving the push for an early coalition commitment. “A lot of money is flying around, and there appears to be a deliberate approach to commit ODM more than a year before the elections,” she said. “The government has not given ODM money, so where is all this money coming from?”
Ruth argued that committing early would force ODM to shoulder blame for any government shortcomings while weakening its negotiating power. “As you negotiate, where is your numerical strength? You may get cabinet slots, but without governors and MPs, how will it work for you?” she asked, citing ODM’s strong parliamentary numbers in 2007 that gave the party leverage in subsequent negotiations.
Her appearance has reignited debate within ODM circles as the party weighs its political strategy ahead of 2027.
