'Wait for my direction,' Raila says he is back and ready to fight for Kenyans

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga says he is set to wind up his public consultations before giving a way forward for the ODM party.

While gracing the ODM at 20 celebrations in Busia County, Odinga maintained that he is back and ready to champion the rights of Kenyans, even as his allies vowed to rally behind the decisions that he will take.

ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga and Secretary General Edwin Sifuna assured Orange party supporters that Chungwa House is awaiting nationwide consultations conducted by its leader, Raila Odinga, on whether the party will firmly have its oranges in the broad-based arrangement or go it alone.

"Tunasubiri consultations ya Baba, na kama chama, ile mwelekeo Baba atatoa ndio tutafuata kama chama. Akisema left ni left, akisema right ni right," Wanga said.

Sifuna added, "Baba, we do not doubt your decisions. Whatever direction you will tell us, that is where the party will go."

In the Busia celebrations, ODM likened itself to a main river that cannot be the one to join tributaries, responding to calls by opposition figures for ODM to join them in their push to unseat President William Ruto from State House.

"ODM is a big party. It cannot be swallowed; it is the one to swallow other parties," Siaya governor James Orengo said.

Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati added, "ODM is 20 years old. It is the party to form government, and we are waiting for Baba to speak."

Minority Leader Junet Mohamed on his part said: "Baba, wengi wetu tulikuwa tunataka ushinde AU lakini kwa mioyo zetu tulikuwa tunataka urudi nyumbani ndio usaidie hii nchi."

The party says it is ready to galvanize its support across the country and ensure it marshals enough numbers in the run-up to the 2027 polls.

Odinga, who has been busy in marathon consultations, told his supporters in Busia that the step he will take will be in the interest of all Kenyans.

"Ile uamuzi tutatoa itakuwa ya kuwasaidia Wakenya wote," he assured.

After holding meetings in Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori counties, Odinga is back in Nairobi Friday night for another round of meetings scheduled to close by Wednesday.

Odinga said: "Sisi si watu wa kufuata watu ovyo ovyo. Lazima tuwe na sababu."