Suba North MP and Minority Whip at the National Assembly, Millie Odhiambo, has firmly stated that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is not part of President William Ruto’s broad-based government. Her remarks come amid ongoing discussions regarding the role of ODM members who have taken up positions within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
In an interview with NTV on Wednesday, Odhiambo clarified that while some ODM members are cooperating with the government, this does not equate to the party joining the administration. “It is a legal fact that ODM is not part of the government. We may be cooperating, but we are not in the government,” she emphasized.
The concept of a broad-based government emerged in July 2024 following weeks of anti-government protests triggered by an unpopular tax bill in June. In response to public dissent, President Ruto announced an inclusive approach aimed at harnessing diverse political and professional expertise to drive economic transformation and inclusive growth. As part of this initiative, key ODM figures were appointed to strategic cabinet positions, including Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSME Development), John Mbadi (National Treasury), and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum).
Despite these appointments, ODM leaders have maintained that the party remains in opposition and has not entered into a formal coalition agreement with the ruling Kenya Kwanza government. Odhiambo dismissed suggestions that ODM’s involvement constitutes a “potato, potahto” situation—an analogy often used to imply that two seemingly different things are essentially the same. She argued that the distinction is clear: cooperation does not imply integration. “A potato, potahto situation would apply if I, as a member of ODM, talked as if I was a member of UDA,” she explained.
ODM leader Raila Odinga has previously echoed this sentiment, stating that while the government sought collaboration from select ODM members, the party itself remains in opposition under the Azimio la Umoja coalition. “We have released the four officials to work with the government. Let it be known that we do not have any formal agreement with the government. If they help in running the country, we cannot stop them,” Odinga asserted.
The debate surrounding ODM’s role in governance reflects the shifting dynamics in Kenya’s political landscape, where cooperation and opposition coexist in a delicate balance. However, ODM remains steadfast in its position that it has not formally joined the Ruto administration, reinforcing the party’s commitment to its opposition role.
