Raila Odinga’s ODM party has responded angrily to the decision by nine of its MPs to visit President William Ruto at State House Nairobi on Tuesday.

In a statement, ODM bashed the MPs led by Langata MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda saying their action went against the position of the party and the Kenyan electorate.

The statement sent to newsrooms by ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale termed the State House visit as the climax of the “behind-the-scenes activities” of the said MPs.

“Since the victory of our Party Leader the Hon. Raila Odinga was stolen and the will of the people subverted after the August 9 2022 general election, some leaders have elected to undermine the leadership of the party and chosen to go against the will of the people who elected them to positions they hold,” said Etale in the statement.

Raila’s ODM accused the Ruto of using all tactics to lure its Azimio la Umoja leaders to its side, coming after a large section of Jubilee MPs also vowed to back his administration.

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“Such meetings are aimed at diverting the attention of Kenyans from issues they are faced with, ranging from the high cost of living, unbearable school fees for their children, and corruption,” he said.


ODM has insisted that the countrywide rallies being spearheaded by Azimio supremo Raila Odinga to challenge what he claims was a victory stolen by Ruto will proceed as scheduled.

“We know that in the quest for legitimate leadership, there are those who will fall by the wayside, and some will be compromised, but the MOVEMENT remains unstoppable.

“History will judge harshly leaders who want to betray Kenyans by accepting handouts to scuttle the activities of the movement.”

However, ODM urged its supporters not to be distracted by the leaders whom it accused of pursuing personal interests at the expense of the well-being of the people who elected them.


In posts on social media on Tuesday, State House said the Ruto and DP Rigathi Gachagua meeting with a section of Nyanza MPs was a follow-up to his recent tour of the region.

“The leaders explored a mechanism of working together to address national and county issues,” stated State House in the tweets.

The other ODM MPs who were in the meeting also attended by ICT CS Eliud Owalo are Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu East), Caroli Omondi (Suba-South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Paul Abuor (Rongo), Mark Nyamita (Uriri) and Walter Owino (Awendo).