I am genuinely baffled that anyone within the ODM establishment ever believed William Ruto had the party’s best interests at heart, let alone that he wanted to see it remain united, strong and politically relevant.
Ruto is not merely interested in winning the presidency; he also needs parliamentary numbers. With several Mount Kenya MPs having abandoned UDA, he needs to replenish his parliamentary support elsewhere. Nyanza, with its longstanding allegiance to ODM, presents a tempting political hunting ground.
Even before Raila died, UDA was conducting mass voter registration in Nyanza. Soon afterwards, talk of political zoning gained momentum. Ruto dropped the subject because it didn’t serve his immediate interests. Those who mistook his political manoeuvres for goodwill may have confused strategy with friendship.
Today, ODM is being pulled apart, with one faction gravitating towards UDA and another finding its footing in Linda Mwananchi. Those seeking political accommodation are moving closer to Ruto, while those determined to defend Baba’s ideals are looking beyond the political establishment that has chosen to work with his successor.
Junet, Kaluma and Wanga appear to be banking on zoning, which may help explain their recent political positions. Others, including Alai, seem willing to watch ODM weaken further, apparently hoping that political appointments will offer them a future that the party itself may no longer guarantee. They know that they cannot win political positions in the absence of Raila.
Millie Odhiambo warned you. Unfortunately, you were too busy building fences to listen.
A genuine break from its association with UDA, coupled with a willingness to embrace Edwin Sifuna and engage with the aspirations represented by Linda Mwananchi, could give the party an opportunity to rebuild. It would require humility, difficult decisions and an honest admission that the current course has come at a price.
Ni hayo tu kwa sasa.
Mbele kuzuri 👏