ODM Reaffirms Support for Raila-Ruto Deal Amid Internal Rift

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has reaffirmed its support for the political cooperation agreement between party leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), despite growing internal dissent over the pact.

Following a high-level Central Committee meeting held in Nairobi on Tuesday, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna announced that the party fully backs Raila’s decision to engage with the Kenya Kwanza administration in a bid to stabilize the country.

“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 said in a statement.

The statement marks a significant shift in tone for Sifuna, who had previously described the UDA-ODM memorandum of understanding as “dead,” citing incidents of police brutality and the recent death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody.

His earlier comments triggered sharp criticism from within the party, with Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma becoming the latest to call for Sifuna’s resignation, accusing him of sowing confusion.

“He must resign or be thrown out of the ODM party. The faster this happens, the better,” Kaluma said on his official X account.

Despite the divisions, the Central Committee—chaired by Raila—resolved to form a technical team to work with UDA representatives to ensure the effective implementation of the pact. The absence of such a team, the Committee noted, had been a major impediment in executing the terms of the deal.

“To expedite the implementation of the 10-point agenda of the MOU, ODM will constitute a technical team to work with UDA counterparts as part of the political infrastructure to assist with implementation,” Sifuna added.

Key focus areas under the agreement include full implementation of the NADCO report, protection of youth livelihoods, respect for peaceful assembly and protest, enhancing the rule of law, and fighting corruption and wastage of public resources.

The reaffirmation comes amid sustained criticism from ODM grassroots leaders and supporters who feel the party has lost direction.

However, party insiders insist the cooperation with Ruto’s government is a pragmatic approach meant to safeguard national stability and advance the party’s reform agenda.