Aasai

ODM leader Raila Odinga has broken his silence amid rising tensions within his party following the controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with President William Ruto’s UDA. In a statement issued through his spokesman Dennis Onyango, Raila urged members to exercise restraint, civility, and decorum as internal debates over the party’s direction intensify.

 Raila assured supporters that he is closely monitoring the situation and promised that ODMs leadership will harmonize differing opinions before charting a united path forward. He emphasized that debates within political parties are healthy and not unique to ODM, calling for respect among members during this period of uncertainty.

The call for calm follows open defiance by Siaya Governor James Orengo, who criticized ODM’s growing ties with the Kenya Kwanza administration, warning of potential national instability if leaders avoid telling hard truths. Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, however, maintained that Raila remains the ultimate authority in steering the partys future.

 Tensions spilled into public view last week during the funeral of Raila’s bodyguard, where President Ruto and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna exchanged sharp words. Ruto warned Sifuna to "go slow" with government criticism, hinting at possible disciplinary action if internal party tensions continued to boil over.