Starehe MP Mwago: Ruto will make Raila’s ODM legacy go down the drain

Starehe Member of Parliament Amos Mwago Maina has warned the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) against allowing President William Ruto to interfere in the party, stressing that even minimal involvement could harm its legacy.

Mwago’s remarks come amid heightened tensions following Raila Odinga’s state funeral on October 19, 2025, in Bondo, Siaya County.

“The worst mistake that ODM can do, is let Ruto insert even a toe in ODM party. We all know the narrative of bedbugs, once you carry one to your house that’s where the problem starts,” Mwago wrote in an X post dated October 20, 2025.

He further cautioned, “Ruto will make sure that ODM legacy goes down the drain. To my brother Sifuna and Babu Owino, you only have one job, just one job to protect the legacy Baba Raila Odinga left of ODM party,” directly tasking ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and MP Babu Owino with safeguarding the party’s opposition heritage.

Concerns over party loyalty and government ties

Mwago highlighted perceived disloyalty among some ODM leaders aligning with Ruto’s government.

“I bet you didn’t read the room temperature of yesterday’s turn of event at Baba’s send off, if you listened to Sifuna and Orengo you’ll clearly understand that only a section of unloyal Baba’s supporters are in bed with the government, it’s just a matter of time,” he added.

The warning reflects broader unease within opposition circles. Jubilee Party Deputy Organising Secretary Pauline Njoroge criticised Ruto’s statements during the funeral, claiming he was undermining ODM.

“Out of my deep respect for Baba, I had wanted to keep off politics for now. But my goodness! Did Ruto just say that hatakubalia wale wanataka kuchukua ODM waende wakacheze karata ya opposition?” she posted.

Njoroge also noted, “No wonder, on the very day Baba died, and Ruto, being fully aware, in total disregard of everything Baba stood for, he signed the Cybersecurity Bill into law. A law that seeks to muzzle the very freedoms Baba fought for all his life.”

Ruto’s comments spark debate

During the funeral, Ruto said, “I assure ODM members that we will support them, because Baba believed in the multiplicity of parties. The strength of ODM matters to me because it is how we are going to have a strong democracy.” He added, “ODM will either form the next government or be a part of the next government. What I will not accept, in honour of Odinga, is people playing with ODM to make it an alienated opposition party.”

Political analysts have weighed in, with Macharia Munene suggesting Ruto may already be influencing ODM. “President Ruto said he would not allow the breaking of ODM. There is trouble in paradise. He will not allow it because President Ruto might be running ODM,” he said.

Barrack Muluka also commented, noting the challenges for Sifuna and reflecting on Raila’s enduring political legacy.