Raila Odinga’s recent maneuvers signal a sharp departure from his traditional opposition stance. The long-time political heavyweight, once a fierce critic of state excesses and ruling party tactics, has now tethered his ODM party to a broader alliance with President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government.
The move, anchored by a 10-point MoU signed earlier this year, appears less about reform and more about recalibrating Odinga’s political relevance ahead of 2027. Behind the scenes, both camps are pushing an ambitious agenda—ranging from youth empowerment and anti-corruption reforms to press freedom and national unity.
Prof Gitile Naituli of Multimedia University frames this shift starkly: “Raila is no longer in the opposition. The MoU isn’t a reform pact—it’s a power-sharing deal camouflaged in reform rhetoric.”
Indeed, ODM’s participation in legislative cooperation, involvement in cabinet roles, and rollout of joint programs marks a deeper integration than many expected. Raila has emphasized structured engagement, including youth-centered dialogues and a task force for victims of past political violence.
But this realignment raises questions. Is Odinga sacrificing his movement’s activist spirit for political proximity to power? While he maintains that ODM will evaluate the arrangement based on performance and expectations, critics argue that the party risks losing its ideological identity.
The stakes are high. If the ODM-UDA cooperation proves fruitful, it could forge one of Kenya’s most formidable political alliances, neutralizing dissent and cementing Ruto’s 2027 reelection. If not, Raila risks alienating his support base.
Either way, Raila’s metamorphosis from opposition crusader to coalition builder may become one of the defining political shifts of this decade.
