When James Orengo, Governor of Siaya and member of the Orange Democratic Movement publicly called the broad-based government an "abomination," the reaction rippled through Kenya’s political arena. Within minutes, Raila Odinga, ODM leader and William Ruto, President of Kenya and head of the United Democratic Alliance found themselves in a heated showdown. Adding fuel to the fire, Samson Kiprotich Cherargei, Senator for Nandi County labeled Orengo, Anyang' Nyong'o, Governor of Kisumu, and Edwin Sifuna, ODM Secretary‑General "saboteurs of the unity pact" on Thursday, 24 April 2025. The statements came during a televised interview that would set the tone for a week of blistering accusations.
The flashpoint was a letter penned by Anyang' Nyong'o earlier in the week. In it, the governor warned that President Ruto’s policies were dragging Kenya back to the "Nyayo era" and eroding the devolution promises of the 2010 Constitution. Critics called the missive populist; supporters said it was a necessary check on power. But the real catalyst was Senator Cherargei’s on‑air tirade. "If a hippopotamus tells you the crocodile is unwell, there’s nothing else to say," he quipped, before branding Nyong'o’s letter as "cheap populism" and accusing Orengo and his allies of undermining the "broad‑based government" they had vowed to support.
Within hours, Oburu Odinga, Senator for Siaya confronted Orengo from the pulpit of a Sunday service in Migori County. "People like Orengo are vomiting on us from inside," he shouted, demanding an explanation for what he called "internal sabotage." Meanwhile, Samuel Atandi, MP for Alego Usonga took a different tack, mocking Orengo’s age and past imprisonments. "Some leaders promise they’ll go back to jail, but if they’re that old, jail is like hell," he said, a jab that quickly went viral on social media. In defence of the accused, ODM chief Raila Odinga stood at a funeral in Homa Bay County on 25 April 2025, urging calm. "Our critics are exercising democratic rights within the MoU that governs the partnership with UDA," he declared, pointing to the signed Memorandum of Understanding that allows ODM members to cooperate with the government while retaining opposition status. Why does this matter? Because the MoU, signed on 20 April 2025 in Nairobi, is the legal backbone of the so‑called "broad‑based government" – a power‑sharing deal meant to calm the post‑election tensions of 2022.
Public statements have been as colourful as the language used. Senator Sifuna posted a YouTube video where he shouted, "Ruto is a liar! I won’t support him in 2027," echoing a sentiment that has been bubbling in ODM’s rank‑and‑file for months. Sources close to President Ruto, who declined to be named, claim that Orengo and Sifuna are engaging in "political blackmail," threatening to pull their support unless the government meets specific demands – demands that remain vague but are believed to revolve around budget allocations to county governments. The media narrative is split. The Daily Nation framed the dispute as a "deepening ideological split" within ODM, while The Standard called it "a power struggle disguised as principled opposition."
At its core, the clash threatens the stability of the coalition that has, so far, managed to pass several key bills, including the 2025 Infrastructure Development Act. If the rift widens, the government could lose its parliamentary majority – a scenario that would force President Ruto to either call fresh elections or seek a new alliance. Analysts at the Institute of Governance in Kenya warn that the internal discord could embolden opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election. "A fractured ODM may split its vote, handing a clearer path to the ruling UDA," said Dr. Miriam Njeri, a political scientist at the University of Nairobi.
Both sides appear entrenched. Orengo insists the partnership is an "abomination" that betrays ODM’s grassroots, while Odinga urges dialogue, reminding members that the MoU is a strategic bridge, not a surrender. The next weeks will likely see a series of parliamentary motions, possibly a formal vote of confidence in the coalition. If the vote fails, Kenya could see a caretaker government leading up to the next election cycle.
Kenya’s political landscape is once again at a crossroads. Whether the "broad‑based government" endures or collapses will hinge on how quickly ODM can reconcile its internal contradictions and whether President Ruto is willing to compromise on the devolution agenda.
The flare‑up began after Senator Samson Kiprotich Cherargei publicly called Orengo, Governor Anyang' Nyong'o, and Senator Edwin Sifuna "saboteurs" of the broad‑based government on 24 April 2025, following a controversial letter by Nyong'o criticizing President Ruto’s central‑government policies.
The partnership is between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) led by Raila Odinga and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) headed by President William Ruto. It is underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Nairobi on 20 April 2025.
If ODM remains divided, its vote could fragment, giving the ruling UDA a clearer path to victory. Conversely, a reconciled ODM could mount a strong challenge, especially if it re‑asserts its opposition stance while retaining the benefits of the coalition.
Key concerns include perceived centralisation of power by President Ruto, delayed transfer of funds to county governments, and the belief that the partnership undermines ODM’s historic opposition identity.
Both sides have hinted at possible revisions, especially around fiscal responsibilities to counties. However, any renegotiation will likely require a formal parliamentary process and broad consensus within ODM, which remains uncertain.
Written by Zimkita Khayone Mvunge
View all posts by: Zimkita Khayone Mvunge