By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 22 November 2025 - Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has emerged as one of the most vocal Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) figures calling on the party’s supporters and leaders to embrace cooperation with President William Ruto, describing the post-Raila Odinga political era as a moment that demands pragmatism rather than rigid partisan opposition.
His stance comes amid mixed signals from ODM about its future direction, with some leaders favouring collaboration while the other faction wants the party to go full throttle and jot its own political future
Those opposed to partnership with United Democratic Alliance (UDA) perceive such a move as a dilution of the party’s identity.
Senator Oketch argues that the broad-based government arrangement endorsed by Raila Odinga was neither accidental nor opportunistic but a deliberate strategy to stabilise a deeply divided nation.
"The cooperation was rooted in ODM structures, agreed through proper party channels, and was never imposed unilaterally or pursued for personal gain," he said.
Its primary aim, he says, is to tackle national challenges—economic hardship, political polarisation, and policy continuity—through shared responsibility instead of endless confrontation.
In advocating engagement with President Ruto, Oketch highlights three key benefits ODM should seize: First, national cohesion. He believes the Ruto–Raila understanding offers a rare chance to heal long-standing regional and ethnic divisions and move away from Kenya’s cycle of exclusionary politics.
Second, development and service delivery. Oketch maintains that ODM can shape policy far more effectively from within government than from the opposition benches, ensuring projects that benefit counties such as Migori are prioritised and the party’s agenda is reflected in national planning.
Third, stronger accountability. Rather than weakening ODM’s oversight role, he argues that being part of the governing arrangement gives the party greater leverage to enforce the 10-point agenda agreed during the formation of the broad-based government.
The true test of the partnership, he says, will be its delivery record by 2027, not premature judgements driven by internal rivalries.
Oketch has also positioned himself as a leading voice for youth within ODM, using the cooperation framework to press for job creation, justice for victims of past protest crackdowns, and greater inclusion of young people in decision-making.
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For him, progress on the youth agenda will be the litmus test of whether collaboration with the Ruto administration produces meaningful results.
Despite his optimism, the senator faces resistance from senior ODM figures. Siaya Governor James Orengo, among others, has cautioned that excessive closeness to the government risks eroding the party’s identity and watchdog role.
The divide reflects a broader generational and ideological split: younger leaders advocate constructive engagement, while traditionalists fear the compromise of ODM’s reformist legacy.
Oketch dismisses such criticism as rooted more in personal political interests than in principle.
He argues that ODM must not remain trapped in an outdated opposition mindset, especially when cooperation can deliver tangible benefits for the country and its supporters.
Working with President Ruto, he insists, is neither sinister nor a betrayal—it simply mirrors Raila Odinga’s own lifelong pragmatism and commitment to national stability.
Ultimately, Senator Oketch represents a growing faction within ODM that sees the post-Raila era as an opportunity to redefine the party’s relevance through engagement with state power rather than perpetual opposition.
His core message is clear: political influence and development gains matter more than symbolic resistance.
As internal debates continue, Oketch remains firm that ODM’s future lies in collaboration, not confrontation—and its success will be measured by the concrete outcomes it delivers for ordinary Kenyans.
