“Ruto Must Be One Term”: Orengo’s Bold Message at Raila’s Memorial
The Tutam vs Wantam political rivalry stole the show on the first anniversary memorial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Bondo, Siaya County, with leaders from President William Ruto’s government on one side, and members of the Linda Mwananchi movement and the United Opposition on the other.
The memorial – which brought together leaders from all sides of the political spectrum to pay their respects to the late opposition leader, only served to highlight some of the deepening divisions within ODM over its direction and how the party plans to tackle the 2027 General Election.
As supporters of the rival camps went back and forth, with pro-government leaders defending ODM’s decision to team up with Ruto’s administration while opposition figures rallied behind the call for a one-term presidency, the air was thick with tension.
Simba Arati Defends ODM’s Broad-Based Government Arrangement
It didn’t take long for the gloves to come off at the Bondo memorial, with ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati using his address to reaffirm the party’s commitment to its alliance with Ruto.
Arati said, in no uncertain terms, that ODM would be running free and fair primaries, including for the Nairobi senatorial seat, but that they’d also be calling out those who’ve abandoned the party because they got a better deal elsewhere.
“ODM will be running free primaries, including for the Nairobi senatorial seat, no surprises there. But let me be clear, if you’re leaving because of a better offer then you’re just leaving” Arati said with a hint of frustration.
His words only served to highlight the cracks within ODM, particularly over the party’s relationship with the government and where they think the party should be heading come the next General Election.
Opiyo Wandayi Warns ODM Dissenters
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi jumped into the fray, defending the party’s alliance and warning anyone who thinks they can bring ODM down from within.
“Those who think they can just go ahead and sabotage us, forget it. We’re the ones who are really in charge here, this is Oburu’s, ODM’s and Ruto’s turf” Wandayi said.
Wandayi’s comments reinforced the position of those in the party who think the alliance is a good idea, setting themselves apart from the opposition.
Oburu Oginga Sends Message Through Simba Arati
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga was noticeably absent from the memorial, after supposedly making a last-minute request to be excused – according to those who were there.
A speech was read out on his behalf by his trusty deputy, Simba Arati, who made it clear just how much ODM needs to hold on to the party that Raila built.
“Raila left us a party that’s really strong, this is an institution” Arati said while reading out Oburu’s message.
In doing so, the party presented itself as something bigger than the squabbles that are currently going on between members, a place where they all have a responsibility to protect the political legacy of the man who started it all.
Sifuna and Babu Owino Lead Opposition Calls for One-Term Presidency
The breakaway faction of ODM that’s since gone on to form The Equitable Party (TEP) and The Mwananchi Party (TMP) turned up to the memorial, but this time as part of the opposition.
As they joined in the memorial, members of the faction started chanting “One Term” a clear signal they’re dead against President William Ruto running for re-election in 2027.
Edwin Sifuna, the ex-ODM Secretary General, said that Raila had left behind a legacy of fighting for democracy that his supporters were now determined to defend.
“Baba left us a legacy of holding the line on democracy” Sifuna said pretty bluntly.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino echoed the same sentiments, saying that the group would just keep on following the path that Raila had set out for them.
“We’re going to keep on doing the course that Baba left us” Owino said
Their comments brought home just how central the defence of democracy is to the faction’s message and just how much they disagree with folks in their own party who are going along with ODM’s big tent government style.
James Orengo Declares Ruto Must Serve One Term
Siaya Governor James Orengo had his say on the 2027 presidential contest at the memorial too.
” Ruto needs to be one term” Orengo said, a pretty clear message of where he stands.
That put him right in line with other opposition leaders who are trying to stop Ruto from getting a second term in office. Once again it shows just how much opposition views are at odds with some in the ODM leadership.
It also shows just how much use Raila’s memorial was as a platform for Kenyan leaders to set out their stalls for the country’s future.
Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa Rally Behind Raila’s Legacy
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka said that the opposition is still 100% committed to defending the democratic ideals that Raila lived by his whole life.
“We are defending the kind of democracy Raila stood for” Kalonzo said.
Eugene Wamalwa, the ex Defence Cabinet Secretary, said pretty much the same, that the opposition is solidly behind Raila’s supporters.
That just reinforces the opposition message that we’ve got to keep the democratic principles that Raila stood for at the heart of our politics.
Tutam vs Wantam: What the Rivalry Means for 2027
The competing slogans at the Bondo memorial were just a reflection of the growing divisions within ODM and the deeper splits that the 2027 General Election is bringing out.
On one side, you’ve got Simba Arati and Opiyo Wandayi standing by ODM’s policy of working with Ruto’s administration. On the other, you’ve got Sifuna, Babu Owino, Orengo and the rest of the opposition opposing Ruto’s re-election.
It all just shows the deep divisions over how Raila’s legacy should shape Kenya’s future, with two rival camps offering different ideas of what leadership, alliances and democratic accountability really mean.
As the 2027 contest draws closer, the divisions you saw at the memorial are only going to be a major talking point and could well be a big factor in the ODM leadership’s direction and the opposition’s strategy.
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“Ruto Must Be One Term”: Orengo’s Bold Message at Raila’s Memorial
