Raila calls for decorum amid claims of internal ODM tensions
In a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Dennis Onyango, Odinga urged ODM members to remain calm and conduct discussions surrounding the current political developments with decorum and restraint.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has broken his silence following growing speculation of internal tensions within the party, stemming from the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which led to the formation of a broad-based government.
In a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Dennis Onyango, Odinga urged ODM members to remain calm and conduct discussions surrounding the current political developments with decorum and restraint.
He further noted that he is closely monitoring the evolving relationship between ODM and the Kenya Kwanza administration, as well as how various stakeholders are interpreting the provisions of the signed MoU.
The former Prime Minister also assured that he would outline the next course of action after consolidating input from the party’s relevant structures and leadership bodies.
"Mr. Odinga believes the discussions are not unique to ODM and are in line with similar such engagements that have gone on in equally strong parties in established democracies," the statement read in part.
"It is the position of the Party Leader that at the appropriate time, relevant organs of the party will harmonize the diverse views and come up with a harmonized position on the way forward."
The statement adds that, "Mr. Odinga appeals to ODM members and leaders to exercise decorum, civility, restraint and respect for each other as they debate the current state of affairs and the future of the party."
Odinga further reassured members that the party would stay united and committed to pursuing national interests.
His remarks follow reports of a potential fallout with Siaya Governor James Orengo, who has openly criticized ODM's engagement with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The internal debate has stirred unease within the party, which now appears divided between those backing the broad-based government arrangement and others who remain strongly opposed to it.
Speaking at the burial of Raila Odinga’s bodyguard, George Oduor, on Saturday 12, April, Siaya Governor James Orengo voiced his dissent.
"I cannot be a praise-singer. We fought for a democratic Constitution where people should speak freely. I urge Kenyans to tell their leaders the truth. This country will go to the dogs again if the kind of language we hear continues," said Orengo.
Responding to Orengo’s remarks, ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi emphasized that Odinga remains the party’s guiding voice.
"Raila Odinga is our party leader, and what he says is what we follow as a party. We practice internal party democracy, and what Orengo is doing is simply exercising that democratic space within ODM," Osotsi said.