Politics

Why ODM Is Threatening to Quit Deal with President Ruto’s UDA Party

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1 month ago Scott

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has warned that it may withdraw from its working agreement with President William Ruto’s government.

The party says its leaders and Members of Parliament are facing pressure and intimidation ahead of the 2027 General Election. According to ODM, some government officials are using state power to influence their MPs to leave the party and join the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

ODM claims that leaders from the Coast and Western regions are the main targets. The party believes this is part of a plan to weaken its national strength and limit its support to the Nyanza region.

Speaking on the issue, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed said ODM will not accept what he described as political interference. He explained that some people in government feel threatened by ODM’s presence in leadership positions.

Junet also said that ODM leaders joining the Cabinet was not a favour, but part of a political agreement meant to promote unity in the country. He added that the cooperation between ODM and the government came after political changes in 2024, including youth-led protests that affected government operations.

He further noted that veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga supported the agreement to help bring stability and national unity.

However, ODM now says the current situation is putting that agreement at risk.

The party has planned a meeting of its Central Management Committee to review the situation and decide the next step. One of the key issues to be discussed is whether ODM should exit the agreement if the pressure on its members continues.

“There are people within government who are fighting this cooperation,” Junet said. He also claimed that a senior government official is leading efforts to weaken ODM.

He warned that if the situation does not improve, the partnership between ODM and the government could collapse. He added that the party has other options moving forward.

ODM leaders have also insisted that their involvement in government should be respected and not treated as a favour.