With different factions emerging and the absence of the unifying factor, Raila Odinga, the end of the ODM party has been speculated. Raila’s death left a big vacuum in ODM, a party that has withstood the test of time. As the shake-up continues to appoint a befitting candidate to lead the party to the 2027 elections, others have openly approved of President Ruto’s candidacy.
Varied accounts of Raila’s last directive on whether to work with President William Ruto or not towards 2027 have continuously bombarded the political space. The Sifuna-led faction maintains that the ODM party should not cheaply avail itself to Ruto without ultimatums, while the Simba Arati-led faction has continually wooed President Ruto to join ODM and together prepare for the 2027 victory.
While chairing the party’s meeting in Nairobi on 30/10/2025, Arati urged President William Ruto, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka to rejoin the ODM party, having been members of the said party before.
Arati clarified that the trio’s decision to join the ODM party ahead of the 2027 elections was the only way of showing respect to the late Odinga. Arati further stated that the ODM party was stronger than ever, a statement that contradicted the notion that the party is on the brink of collapse.
“William Ruto, I welcome you to ODM. Even you, Uhuru Kenyatta, come to ODM. Kalonzo, you are also welcome. If you truly respected Baba and the way you mourned him, come to ODM and Baba will believe your love wherever he is right now”, said Arati.
Accompanied by Makadara Member of Parliament George Aladwa and Ruaraka counterpart, TJ Kajwang, Arati remarked that the ODM party was too big to fold and join other parties, which he described as small parties.
“ODM is like an ocean; an ocean cannot go into small Rivers. ODM will remain as an ocean. All other parties should join us”, said Arati, who stressed that the ODM had long served in the opposition and that it was high time they formed the government and left the opposition role to others.
Arati however, cleared the air that the ODM party will not give Ruto a direct ticket to vie for the 2027 presidential election. He clarified that all the candidates eyeing the top job within the ODM party would be subjected to a competitive party clearance process, and the ticket would be awarded on merit. Arati emphasised that their support will only be reserved for candidates who will be cleared on the ODM ticket for all elective posts and especially in Nairobi.
“Hon. Ruto, Uhuru and Kalonzo were among the founders of ODM. Much as we are welcoming them back, they will not be given a direct ticket; we will all have to fight for the ticket”, said Arati. “If you want to be an MP, Governor, Senator, MCA in Nairobi or even President, you must be in ODM”, reiterated Arati, a statement which seemed to be targeting Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna, who have openly expressed reservations about the broad-based government.
During an Interview at Ramogi TV and NTV, Dr Oburu Oginga, who is currently serving as the ODM Chair in an interim capacity, extended an olive branch to the embattled Babu Owino and assured him that ODM was ready to accommodate him as one of its sons. On what appeared like Oburu’s approval of ODM SG, Edwin Sifuna’s tough talk, the Siaya Senator maintained that the experts that were donated to Ruto’s government by Raila had no powers to speak for the party, but for the government they work for.
“Those who work for the government cannot speak for the party”, said Oburu
Arati’s tough talk on those questioning the stance of the party comes at a time when Nairobi’s gubernatorial hopeful, Babu Owino, has repeatedly said on media platforms that the ODM top brass is contemplating supporting Sakaja in the forthcoming elections. Amidst the tense party politics, Arati has shown optimism in ODM’s performance come 2027.
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