Orengo dismisses ‘idiotic’ broad-based alliance push by Ruto’s ODM ministers
Orengo warned that efforts by some leaders to steer the party toward a 2027 coalition with President Ruto's administration were reckless and risked erasing ODM’s identity and history...
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Siaya Governor James Orengo has vehemently dismissed efforts by some Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ministers serving in President William Ruto's government to forge a broad-based political alliance with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leader, labeling such a push as "idiotic." Orengo warned that pursuing a 2027 coalition with Ruto's administration risks eroding ODM's identity and values.
- Orengo stated that Ruto "needs ODM — not the other way round," countering the perception that ODM requires an alliance with the current government.
- He emphasized that ODM was founded on struggle and sacrifice, not on political bargaining for positions, and must remain a party "of the people, by the people, for the people."
- Orengo insisted that ODM must field its own presidential candidate in 2027, rejecting the idea of relying on uncertain alliances, and vowed to protect the legacy of party leader Raila Odinga, who he claimed is "bigger than Kenyatta, bigger than Moi, bigger than Kibaki, bigger than Uhuru and bigger than Ruto."
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Factions Within ODM Clash Over Party's Relationship with President Ruto's Government - November 2025
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is facing significant internal turmoil regarding its alliance with President William Ruto's government. EALA MP Winnie Odinga described the party's current broad-based pact with Ruto as "complicated" and called for a National Delegates Convention to decide its future. She also alleged a plot to sell the ODM party during its 20th-anniversary celebrations in Mombasa. Siaya Governor James Orengo dismissed the push for a coalition by some ODM ministers in Ruto's government as "idiotic," warning it would erode the party's identity. In a similar vein, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino criticized his party's leadership appointments. Tensions are also evident in the Coast region, where allies of Mining CS Hassan Joho are asserting his leadership, and within the wider opposition, where DCP's Cleophas Malala accused a DAP-K leader of colluding with Ruto.
