'Exercise decorum!' Raila breaks silence amid rift in ODM after Orengo outburst

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has finally spoken out amid reports of a rift within the political outfit owing to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) that gave birth to the broad-based government.

Odinga, in a statement through his spokesperson Dennis Onyango on Friday, appealed to party members to exercise restraint and decorum while debating the current state of affairs amid speculations of a rift within ODM.

He explained that he is keenly following the relationship between ODM and the Kenya Kwanza administration and ways in which the stakeholders are interpreting the MoU that was signed.

The former Prime Minister further promised to chart the way forward after harmonising the views from the relevant organs of the party. 

"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. 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 also sought to assure members that the party would remain united and focused on matters of interest to the nation.

His statement comes following reports of a looming fallout with Siaya Governor James Orengo who has expressed open defiance of ODM's relationship with Kenya Kwanza. 

This has caused a stir within the party, which is seemingly split between supporters of the broad-based government deal and those who oppose it.

“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," Orengo said during the burial of Odinga’s bodyguard George Oduor on Saturday last week.

In response to Orengo's remarks, ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi argued that Odinga is the only one who charts the way forward for the party. 

“Raila Odinga is our party leader and what he says is what we follow as a party, we have internal party democracy and what Orengo is doing is exercising the democracy within ODM,” Osotsi said.

The turmoil over the broad-based government deal also played out when President Ruto and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna traded barbs over the State's affairs during Oduor’s funeral service.

"Wale ambao wanahusika na kufanya kazi yako ikuwe ngumu, read them the riot act kwa sababu tunajua kazi yako ni ngumu, wasifanye ikuwe ngumu zaidi," Sifuna said at Ramba High School in Siaya County on April 12, 2025.

On his part, Ruto warned the ODM SG to restrain himself from criticising the government, lest he be disciplined.

“Nimeskia Sifuna anaongea na nguvu. Wakati unaongea mambo yangu Sifuna, ujue mimi ndio mwanzilishi wa ODM so unaenda polepole kidogo,” the President shot back.

“Sisi ndio tulianza hii kitu. Na unajua ukinisukuma sana, nitaitisha mkutano ya founder members wa ODM…tukiitisha hiyo mkutano kukufanyia discipline, sisi ambao tulianza chama. So tuendeni mossmoss.”