Siaya County Governor James Orengo has criticized President William Ruto and some ODM members over the party's current political arrangement with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Speaking on Friday, November 14, at the ODM@20 celebrations in Mombasa, Orengo declared that it is the President who needs the Orange party, not the other way around, in a bold statement that elicited cheers from party supporters.
The seasoned politician did not mince his words as he addressed what he described as misguided perceptions about ODM's relationship with the current government.
"I dare say this, Ruto needs ODM; it's not ODM that needs Ruto," Orengo stated firmly. "There are people in this party behaving as if ODM needs Ruto. I'm not afraid to say. I was very happy when Dr. Oburu said ODM will not be swallowed. I am equally happy with what Winnie Odinga has said."
Earlier in the day, Winnie Odinga, daughter of the late party leader Raila Odinga, had warned those attempting to divide the party, describing rumors of internal division as "kelele ya chura" (noises of a frog) that cannot prevent the cow from drinking water.
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Orengo drew parallels with other African liberation movements that lost their way by abandoning their core principles and the people they were meant to serve.
"Liberation parties in Africa keep dying. When you go to Tanzania, CCM is no longer in power. Uganda the UPC is gone, in Zambia the liberation party is dead, because they forgot about the people," he observed.
The Governor emphasized that ODM's identity as a people's party must remain paramount.
"ODM is a party for the people, by the people. ODM can never be the party of broad-based, inclusive, and for the interests of the broad-based. In law and in politics, there is no such thing," he stated, appearing to question the concept of the broad-based government arrangement.
Orengo challenged those in the party who seem comfortable with the current political alignment, asking them to consider the implications for ODM's future.
"So tell me, in 2027, you decide to support Ruto and make him president, where does that leave ODM? In 1963, we had many parties, they were told it's not good to be in opposition and they all moved to KANU, we had to go to the streets to protest for multi-partism," he said.
In a particularly bold assertion, Orengo declared that the late Raila Odinga's legacy surpasses that of all other Kenyan presidents.
"What Raila has left is more than what the other former presidents left. Raila is bigger than Kenyatta, Raila is bigger than Moi, Raila is bigger than Uhuru, and Raila is bigger than Ruto," he proclaimed.
The Governor criticized what he termed as cowardice among some party members who have been sending mixed signals about ODM's political direction.
"I don't know why some people here are being cowards. I have heard people in this party going around the country telling wananchi that ODM will either be in government or be part of the government. A strong party like ODM has to be sure of what we want," Orengo said.
The remarks were made during the Orange Party's 20th anniversary celebrations at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa, which took place from November 14 to 16. This is the first major ODM event since Raila Odinga's passing on October 15, 2025.
The three-day celebration brings together party loyalists and founding members. Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has been officially approved as the party's leader, pending ratification by the National Delegates Convention.
The event aims to celebrate ODM's contribution to political reforms, devolution, and civil liberties while charting the party's course ahead of the 2027 general elections.
