Ruto Vows to Protect ODM, Says Party Will ‘Either Form or Be Part of Next Government’

President William Ruto on Sunday made a striking political pledge — to safeguard the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and ensure that the party founded by the late Raila Odinga remains a central force in Kenya’s political future.

Speaking during Odinga’s national funeral service at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo, Ruto said his administration would not allow the party to be “destroyed from within” or hijacked by opportunists.

In an unusually conciliatory tone, the Head of State — who once stood as Odinga’s fiercest political rival — described ODM as an institution too integral to Kenya’s democracy to be left to disintegration. He vowed to defend it in honor of the man he called “a hero of our democracy.”

“The thing I cannot accept, in honor of this hero of ours — and I will do everything possible, may God help me — is to block those who want to uproot the ODM party and play the opposition card out there. That will not be possible,” Ruto declared, drawing cheers from the mourners gathered under the Siaya sun.

Ruto assured ODM members that his government would respect the party’s independence while supporting its internal cohesion.

He framed the survival of ODM not as a threat to his own United Democratic Alliance (UDA), but as essential to Kenya’s multiparty system.

“I know I am the leader of UDA, but I want to assure ODM members — according to Baba’s wishes — that we will respect and support ODM to hold it together,” he said. “ODM must be strong as we go to 2027 because that is how we will have a strong government. Political parties are the foundation of democracy, and the strength of ODM matters a great deal to me.”

The President went further, suggesting that ODM’s collaboration with his administration would extend into the future.

“ODM will either form the next government or be part of it,” he declared, signaling a possible power-sharing approach that could reshape Kenya’s post-Raila political landscape.

Ruto also recounted a private conversation he had with Raila before his death, revealing that the former Prime Minister had made no demands when Ruto proposed ODM’s inclusion in government. Instead, Odinga suggested that the Finance Ministry be headed by someone from Nyanza — a gesture Ruto said reflected Raila’s selfless leadership.

“I told Baba, ‘I want us to give the first Minister of Finance from Nyanza that opportunity.’ Baba gave me two names — Opiyo Wandayi and John Mbadi. Today, I am proud that Baba and I made the decision to have John Mbadi as Kenya’s Minister of Finance,” Ruto said, as mourners applauded.

Ruto used the platform to defend his government’s economic record, claiming major progress since ODM joined what he described as a “broad-based unity government.” He cited falling inflation, a stronger shilling, and reduced interest rates as signs of Kenya’s economic recovery.

“Inflation has dropped from 9.6% to 4%, the exchange rate has improved from 165 to 129, and Kenya is now the sixth-largest economy in Africa,” Ruto noted.

However, Ruto’s remarks came against a backdrop of growing unease within ODM, as senior figures jostle for influence in the wake of Odinga’s passing. Party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna vowed to protect ODM’s legacy from internal splits, saying loyalty to Odinga’s vision would guide the party forward.

“Since Baba fell ill, I’ve been asking myself what I will do to make him proud. This is not the time to push divisive narratives in ODM,” Sifuna said. “I will not be among those who contribute to the failure of the party of Raila Odinga.”

Siaya Governor James Orengo cautioned that while unity was essential, it should not come at the expense of political pluralism.

“Even as we speak about unity, let us not kill political parties. They are the foundation of our democracy,” Orengo said.

Ruth Odinga, Raila’s sister and Kisumu Woman Representative, added an emotional note, revealing that her brother’s dying wish was for ODM to remain united.

“Raila told me the day before he died that ODM must be united and strong,” she said. “We cannot have another ODM being led by a few people and another faction on the other side claiming ownership of the party.”

Raila Odinga, 80, died of cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment in Kochi, India. He was laid to rest beside his father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, at their family home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo — closing a monumental chapter in Kenya’s political history but opening new questions about the future of the movement he built.