Confusion, push and pull were witnessed in Mombasa when every leader rose to speak on the fate of ODM party in Broadbased government.
A lot of leaders rose to support their cooperation with the Ruto-led government of (UDA) United Democratic Alliance. Majority of the leaders who rose in defence of the cooperation are the Cabinet Secretaries led by Ali Hassan Joho, Opiyo Wandayi, Wycliffe Oparanya, John Mbadi and Beatrice Askul.
However, other leaders also publicly registered their displeasure with the Broadbased cooperation with the incumbent government, stating that ODM’s legacy would be greatly compromised if the party would support Ruto government. Among them were James Orengo, who is the Siaya governor, Babu Owino of Embakasi East, Senator for Nairobi Edwin Sifuna among others.
There were still others who remained undecided on which way in post-Raila era. Some of them were Kisii governor Simba Arati, Kakamega governor Fernandez Baraza and even Raila’s daughter, Winnie Odinga — although her’s were thinly veiled.
It remains to be seen how all the leaders pulling from different sides will ultimately reconcile the glaring differences in order to approach the next election in 2027 as one united team.
