Suba South Member of Parliament Caroli Omondi has asserted that the late Raila Odinga distanced himself from certain leaders who aligned with the so-called broad-based political arrangement, suggesting that their actions contradicted his wishes.
During an interview with a local television station on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Omondi accused some politicians of leveraging Raila’s legacy to justify their involvement in the broad-based formation.
“Individuals are misappropriating the words of a deceased leader for their own convenience,” Omondi stated.
He elaborated, “Some claim their participation in the broad-based initiative stems from Raila’s endorsement. However, they acted against his wishes while he was in Dubai, where he explicitly instructed them not to join.”
Omondi further claimed that upon his return to the country, Raila refused to support the initiative and distanced himself from those involved.
“When Raila arrived back, he did not meet them at the airport. He issued a statement clarifying that they acted in their personal capacities,” he asserted.
According to Omondi, the relationship between Raila and some leaders had severely deteriorated prior to his passing.
“At the time of Baba’s illness, he was not in communication with some of them,” he remarked.
The ODM party has grappled with internal conflicts since the passing of its founding leader, Raila Odinga.
Edwin Sifuna, the embattled ODM Party Secretary General, has previously discussed the ideological rifts within the party that often manifest publicly.
While commemorating what would have been Raila Odinga’s 81st birthday at his Bondo home in Siaya County on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the Nairobi senator acknowledged that intense emotions can lead to public disputes.
“The only reason these issues sometimes emerge publicly is because we are human beings. Situations can become heated, and as is human nature, emotions can overflow, leading to visible conflicts,” Sifuna explained. “I remember, Baba used to consult everyone.”
