,Siaya Governor James Orengo has disclosed that the late ODM leader Raila Odinga engaged him in internal consultations before making the decision linked to the formation of the broad-based government arrangement involving President William Ruto’s administration.
Speaking on the matter, Orengo said there was no disagreement between him and Raila over the political direction the party took at the time, noting that the ODM leader sought his input shortly after returning from a trip abroad.
“I did not differ with Raila on the broad-based government. When it arose, he came from Dubai, he called me, and we had a meeting before he invited me to attend a meeting of the central committee of the party,” Orengo stated.
According to Orengo, Raila explained that he was dealing with a politically sensitive situation in which some ODM members had already been approached to join government roles under President Ruto’s administration.
He added that Raila had concerns about timing and internal party cohesion, especially regarding public communication of the appointments.
“He said he had a difficult situation he found himself in. I understood the point he was trying to make, which was that some of our people had been approached by President Ruto, and these guys had agreed to be recruited into his government,” Orengo said.
Orengo further revealed that Raila had urged President Ruto to hold back any public announcement until he had returned to the country and engaged party leadership.
“Raila had urged Ruto not to announce those appointments until he got here. He said if they went into government without the goodwill of the party, it would bring problems and division within the party,” he added.
The remarks shed light on the internal political negotiations within ODM during a period marked by shifting alliances and efforts to stabilize national governance through cross-party cooperation.
Political observers note that the statement reinforces Raila’s role in managing both internal party discipline and broader national political engagements during a highly sensitive transition period.
Orengo’s account also highlights the delicate balance ODM leadership faced in responding to overtures from the ruling coalition while seeking to maintain party unity.
The broad-based government arrangement has remained a subject of national debate, with supporters viewing it as a stabilizing move, while critics argue it blurred opposition lines in Kenya’s political landscape.