The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party’s Central Committee has decisively reaffirmed its unwavering support for the political cooperation agreement between party leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto, signaling an end to internal divisions that have threatened to derail the high-stakes partnership.
In a statement issued following a crucial meeting chaired by Raila Odinga in Nairobi on Tuesday, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna announced that the party stands firmly behind the decision to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration, marking a dramatic shift from his earlier criticism of the deal.
“The party supports the position of party leader Raila Odinga to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration to stabilise the country and create an enabling environment for Kenyans to address their concerns through democratic and constitutional means,” Sifuna declared, effectively reversing his previous stance that had labeled the UDA-ODM pact as “dead.”
The secretary general’s about-face comes after weeks of mounting pressure from within ODM ranks, with several prominent party members calling for his resignation over statements deemed divisive to party unity. Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma had become the latest to demand Sifuna’s removal, stating emphatically that “he must resign or be thrown out of the ODM party.”
The internal turmoil reached its peak when Sifuna publicly criticized the cooperation deal, citing police brutality and referencing the controversial death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody. His remarks triggered a fierce backlash from party loyalists who viewed his position as undermining Raila’s strategic political calculations.
To fast-track the implementation of their political agreement, the ODM Central Committee announced the formation of a special technical team that will work directly with UDA counterparts to ensure the 10-point Memorandum of Understanding is fully executed. The committee identified the absence of such a technical framework as the critical missing link in implementing the comprehensive agreement.
The landmark deal encompasses key national priorities including the full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, protection of youth livelihoods, upholding the right to peaceful assembly and protest, strengthening the rule of law, and addressing corruption and public resource wastage.
In their formal resolutions, the Central Committee also addressed several critical financial and governance issues. The party acknowledged the allocation of Ksh415 billion to counties as an improvement on previous disbursements but maintained pressure for increased funding, continuing to push for the allocation to reach a minimum of Ksh450 billion or more, as previously proposed by Raila Odinga.
The committee further demanded the implementation of unbundling of devolved functions and the requisite constitutionally sanctioned resources to counties, emphasizing the need for proper devolution of power and resources. Additionally, ODM called for an inter-generational national conference to deliberate on issues affecting the nation with particular focus on youth agenda and agreeing on a way forward.
The political partnership between the former fierce rivals has reshaped Kenya’s political landscape, with Raila Odinga recently declaring his firm alignment with President Ruto at least until the 2027 General Election. This commitment has effectively positioned ODM as part of a broad-based government, a move that has drawn both praise and criticism from different political quarters.
However, the cooperation has not been without challenges. The ODM party has acknowledged that the MoU has not been fully implemented despite its aim to address key challenges facing Kenyans, with concerns raised about delays in delivering tangible benefits to the electorate.
The political realignment has significant implications for Kenya’s democratic landscape, as it brings together the leading protagonists in the 2022 General Election with a combined 14.1 million votes, effectively reshaping opposition politics and setting the stage for the 2027 electoral contest.
As ODM moves to present a united front behind the Ruto-Raila partnership, the party also outlined its commitment to internal strengthening through grassroots elections and programs for ODM at 20 celebrations as part of the process of regeneration, reorganization and internal strengthening. The Central Committee emphasized that despite members arriving with different viewpoints on many issues within the party and the country, they brokered an unbreakable unity of purpose, ensuring ODM continues to be a loyal servant of the people and the country while acting in the best interest of its supporters and the nation.
The party faces the delicate task of balancing its traditional opposition role with its new position as a partner in governance, while ensuring that the promised reforms and benefits materialize for ordinary Kenyans who continue to grapple with economic challenges and social issues. The resolutions demonstrate ODM’s commitment to the agenda of national transformation and stability while maintaining its advocacy for devolution and youth empowerment.
The resolution marks a critical juncture in Kenyan politics, demonstrating how strategic political partnerships can override traditional party lines when national interests are at stake, even as questions remain about the long-term sustainability of such arrangements in a vibrant democratic system.
