Siaya Governor James Orengo has accused President William Ruto of undermining the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), arguing that a leader who genuinely respected the party’s founder, the late Raila Odinga, would not interfere with the political movement he established.

Speaking at a public event, Orengo alleged that President Ruto’s engagement with ODM had contributed to the party’s current internal challenges, saying the President’s actions were inconsistent with his public statements about Raila’s legacy.

“If Ruto loved Raila, he could not have killed the party that was started by Raila Odinga,” Orengo said, accusing the President of weakening the party rather than protecting the political legacy of its founder.

The governor further claimed that ODM was facing growing internal divisions because of external political influence. He alleged that the party should remain independent and continue operating according to the ideals on which it was founded, rather than becoming closely aligned with the Kenya Kwanza administration. These claims reflect Orengo’s views and have not been independently verified.

Orengo also questioned the implementation of the political cooperation agreement that had been reached between President Ruto and Raila Odinga before the latter’s death. According to the governor, several commitments discussed under that arrangement had not been honoured, including promises relating to governance and the preservation of ODM’s independence.

His remarks come amid continuing debate within ODM over the party’s future direction following Raila Odinga’s death. The party has experienced internal disagreements over its relationship with the Kenya Kwanza government, with some leaders supporting continued cooperation while others, including Orengo and his allies, have called for ODM to reassert itself as an independent political force ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Orengo has been among the most vocal critics of the party’s current leadership in recent months, repeatedly alleging that ODM is gradually losing its autonomy. He has previously claimed that external political influence has shaped key decisions within the party, assertions that have been disputed by other ODM leaders.

There was no immediate response from the Presidency to Orengo’s latest remarks at the time of publication. President Ruto has previously maintained that his administration values political dialogue and has publicly acknowledged Raila Odinga’s contribution to Kenya’s democratic development, while defending his engagement with ODM leaders.