Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders have been urged to make swift and strategic decisions about the party’s political future following the passing of former party leader Raila Odinga.
The call was made during a function in Luo Nyanza, where concerns were raised that delaying crucial choices could cost the party its bargaining power ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The late Raila Odinga, widely regarded as a political mastermind, built his career on bold and unconventional decisions that often reshaped Kenya’s political landscape.
Despite criticism, he consistently emerged stronger, commanding national influence. His final major political move joining President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration under the broad-based government arrangement and signing a 10-point agenda left the nation stunned and redefined coalition politics.
However, ODM now finds itself at a crossroads over whether to remain aligned with the broad-based government or chart an independent path towards 2027.
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This uncertainty has sparked debate among party loyalists and leaders, with some calling for clarity and urgent action.
Speaking during a gathering in Homabay County, Senator Otieno Kajwang’ reminded ODM members of a crucial political lesson from 2002.
He argued that Raila Odinga made a costly mistake by joining Mwai Kibaki’s NARC coalition too late in October of that year, just two months before the December elections.
According to Kajwang’, the late timing left Luo Nyanza with limited representation at the negotiating table, weakening the region’s influence in the post-election power-sharing structure.
Kajwang’ further recalled that after NARC’s landslide victory, President Kibaki reneged on the pre-election deal that was supposed to create a Prime Minister position for Raila Odinga.
This, he said, was a direct consequence of ODM’s late entry into the coalition, which left the party with reduced leverage.
The Senator urged ODM leaders not to fall into the same trap again. He emphasized that decisions on whether to work with President Ruto or prepare for a solo bid in 2027 must be made early enough to avoid being sidelined in the political arrangements that will determine post-election power distribution.
Kajwang’ warned that if ODM delays, other political actors will seal deals that could shape Kenya’s next government, leaving the party with little room to influence outcomes.
He called on ODM to act decisively, organize early, and protect the political interests of its supporters as the country approaches a critical electoral moment.
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