The first anniversary of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga’s death has exposed deepening divisions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), with rival political factions clashing over President William Ruto’s re-election bid and the future of the late opposition leader’s political legacy.
What was intended as a solemn occasion to celebrate Raila’s life and contribution to Kenya’s democracy quickly became a platform for competing political ambitions at Migwena Grounds, where leaders and supporters traded slogans over whether Ruto deserves a second term.
The sharpest divide emerged between politicians opposed to the President’s continued stay in office and ODM leaders defending the party’s working relationship with his administration, laying bare the difficult balancing act facing a party whose founder had entered into a political cooperation arrangement with Ruto before his death.
The disagreement was reflected in rival chants of “one term” and “two terms”, turning the memorial gathering into an early test of political loyalties ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Siaya Governor James Orengo, a longtime Raila ally, used the occasion to challenge those championing Ruto’s re-election, questioning the political value of the calls for a second term.
Orengo maintained that opposition forces would have to unite if they hoped to defeat the President in the next election.
His remarks underscored the growing determination among a section of ODM leaders to resist attempts to rally the party behind Ruto, even as other senior figures continue to defend cooperation with the government.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino also rallied supporters around the opposition position, arguing that political leadership should be measured by the courage to confront injustice rather than the pursuit of power or titles.
Owino’s remarks reflected the position of politicians associated with the Linda Wananchi movement, which includes leaders critical of the current political arrangement between ODM and the Kenya Kwanza administration.
On the other side of the divide, Kisii Governor Simba Arati defended ODM’s cooperation with Ruto, dismissing suggestions that the arrangement had weakened the party.
Arati argued that ODM remained an organised political movement capable of making strategic decisions in the national interest.
He also pledged that the party would conduct free, fair and transparent nominations ahead of the 2027 elections.
His defence of the arrangement highlighted the contrasting approaches emerging within ODM: one faction favours continued engagement with the government, while another insists that the party must maintain its independence and provide a credible opposition voice.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Democratic Action Party of Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa were among the prominent opposition figures at the gathering.
Kalonzo reiterated the opposition’s determination to offer Kenyans an alternative political direction, expressing confidence that a united opposition could deliver change in the next election.
The presence of leaders from outside ODM added another dimension to the contest, with the memorial serving as a meeting point for politicians seeking to build a broader coalition against Ruto.
For the opposition, the challenge extends beyond criticising the government.
It must also reconcile competing ambitions, agree on a common political platform and persuade voters that it can provide an alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic and governance concerns.
The rival slogans at Migwena illustrated how difficult that task could become as the election approaches.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi paid tribute to Raila, describing the late leader as an important mentor and father figure while urging supporters to remain focused on the country’s future.
Yet the competing messages at the memorial highlighted a larger question confronting Raila’s political movement: who has the strongest claim to carry forward his ideals, networks and electoral influence?
For decades, Raila was a central figure in Kenya’s opposition politics, championing constitutional reform, multiparty democracy and social justice.
His death on October 15, 2025, left a significant gap in the political landscape, particularly within ODM and in the wider opposition.
His absence has since intensified competition over the direction of the party and the political support base he built over several decades.
The disagreement is particularly significant in the context of ODM’s cooperation with Ruto’s administration, an arrangement that has offered some leaders opportunities to participate in government but has also generated resistance from members who believe the party should remain firmly in the opposition.
The anniversary gathering demonstrated that Raila’s legacy is no longer merely a subject of remembrance. It has become central to the contest over political alliances and the balance of power ahead of 2027.
Arati sought to reassure ODM supporters that the party remained functional despite the public disagreements.
He defended what he described as a deliberate and patriotic approach to political engagement, arguing that cooperation with the government was intended to promote stability rather than dismantle the party’s identity.
The governor also praised Ruto for his role in honouring Raila’s legacy, pointing to the handover of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum as a demonstration of national unity.He further commended the Kenya Defence Forces for their work on the project.
Arati’s remarks sought to frame the relationship between ODM and the government as a strategic partnership rather than a surrender of the party’s political independence.
However, the rival chants and sharp exchanges at Migwena suggest that the arrangement remains contentious among supporters and leaders who differ over how ODM should position itself in the next election.
With the next General Election approaching, the political contest surrounding Raila’s legacy is expected to intensify.
For Ruto and his allies, maintaining cooperation with ODM could help consolidate support in regions where Raila commanded considerable political influence.
For opposition leaders, the priority is to prevent the President from converting that relationship into a decisive electoral advantage.
Within ODM, the competing positions raise questions about party unity, the management of nominations and the ability of its leadership to reconcile members with different political ambitions.
The pledge of transparent nominations will be particularly important as aspirants begin positioning themselves for elective seats across the country.Ultimately, the confrontation at Migwena was about more than a presidential term.
It exposed a wider struggle over who will shape ODM’s future, who will inherit Raila’s political influence and whether the party can preserve its unity while navigating an increasingly competitive political landscape.
As Kenyans remember a leader whose political career helped shape the country’s democratic journey, the divisions among his former allies serve as a reminder that preserving a legacy can be as politically difficult as building one
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