- Ruth Odinga warns that heavy spending within ODM is linked to pressure for an early coalition deal
- She questions the source of the funds and the motive behind rushing talks before 2027
- The Kisumu Woman Rep says ODM risks losing power and public trust if it joins government too early
- She calls for wide consultations with members before any major political decision
Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has raised concerns over growing pressure on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to enter a political coalition long before the 2027 General Election.
Speaking in a televised interview, Odinga said there is a clear push to force the party into an early agreement, warning that such a move could weaken ODM instead of strengthening it.
According to her, the party should not be rushed into making binding decisions when elections are still some time away.
At the centre of her warning was money.
Odinga said there is visible spending within the party, linked to efforts to push ODM towards a coalition deal more than a year before the polls.
“A lot of money is flying around,” she said, raising questions about who is funding the push and why.
She pointed out that ODM has not received public funding from the government, making the source of the cash even more concerning.
Odinga insisted that time is on ODM’s side, noting that elections will happen whether the party rushes or not.
“Even if ODM sits still and does nothing, 2027 will still come,” she said.
She stressed that any major decision must be guided by the party’s supporters across the country, not by a few voices at the top.
She revealed that ODM’s Central Management Committee (CMC) recently held a meeting in Kilifi.
During that meeting, the committee agreed that the party chairperson should call a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to help the party agree on a clear and united path forward.
According to Odinga, such discussions are necessary before engaging the public through nationwide consultations.
The Kisumu Woman Rep warned that entering government too soon could expose ODM to blame without real influence.
She said the party could end up carrying the failures of the ruling side without gaining enough political ground to protect its interests.
“ODM must negotiate from a position of strength, not weakness,” she noted.
Responding to claims of divisions within the Odinga family and ODM, Ruth dismissed talk of a fallout.
She said disagreement has always existed within the party and should not be mistaken for disunity.
“Our unity is not about to die,” she said, adding that open debate is part of ODM’s democratic history.
Odinga cautioned party leaders against sidelining members with different opinions.
She warned that forcing people out instead of talking through issues could slowly weaken the party.
“If we keep showing people the door, who will remain?” she asked.
She also questioned ODM’s bargaining power if negotiations were to happen now.
Odinga recalled that in 2007, ODM had strong numbers in Parliament, which gave it influence during the 2008 power-sharing talks.
Without a solid group of MPs and governors, she said, ODM risks entering talks with little leverage.
Odinga stressed that ODM’s strength comes from its supporters, not backroom deals.
“Any talks must be backed by the masses,” she said, adding that the party should never leave its supporters behind.
ODM is currently under the leadership of Oburu Oginga, who took over during a period of mourning following the death of party founder Raila Odinga.
Ruth Odinga said the challenges facing the party existed even before his leadership and require calm, inclusive solutions rather than rushed political agreements.
Her remarks are expected to fuel further debate within ODM as the opposition repositions itself ahead of the 2027 General Election.
