President illiam Ruto asked the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to firm up its setup. He suggested a future team-up with the old opposition party.
On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the Piny Luo Festival in Migori County, Ruto told ODM backers to keep the party tough for the 2027 vote.
Strong ODM party
I will push on with our plans for Kenya. I know you back ODM, he said.
Ruto nodded to more work together. This goes past their wide deal with the late Raila Odinga in March 2025. He said the next step starts from solid ground.
Make your own plans. Build your ODM strong. We need that so we can map out the country’s leaders. Strengthen ODM. I will build UDA. Then we can set up the government, he said.
Tribute to Raila
Ruto praised ODM head Raila. He thanked him for his key part in Ruto’s path to Kenya’s fifth presidency.
I was in ODM. God chose a new road for me. Raila taught politics. I was his top pupil. He helped make me president, he said.
Ruto asked his foes to join the effort to bring the nation together.
I call on our rivals to help move Kenya forward, he added.
Claims of Ruto rocking ODM
These words come as some opposition voices say Ruto aims to wreck the Orange party before the vote.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua charged Ruto with inner attacks to kill ODM.
Ruto wrecked ODM. It hurts us. He said as my boss he’d wipe it out, Gachagua said.
