ODM at a Crossroads: Rift Widens Over Support for Ruto’s Administration

May 7, 2025 | Nairobi, Kenya

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), one of Kenya’s most influential political parties, is facing growing internal tensions as it weighs the future of its cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration.

The party, led by veteran opposition figure Raila Odinga, has found itself under increasing pressure both from within its ranks and from supporters across the country. The crux of the matter lies in the political pact formed in the aftermath of the contentious 2022 General Election, which saw ODM align—albeit informally—with the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition on selected national issues.

However, recent weeks have exposed a widening rift within the ODM leadership, with a faction pushing for a complete withdrawal from the agreement, citing betrayal of party values, erosion of political identity, and dissatisfaction with the government’s delivery on key promises.

Mounting Pressure from the Grassroots

ODM’s grassroots support base, particularly in its strongholds in Nyanza, Coast, and parts of Western Kenya, has grown increasingly vocal. Critics argue that the cooperation with President Ruto has yielded little tangible benefit for their regions and risks blurring the lines between the government and opposition—at a time when checks and balances are seen as critical.

“The party is losing its soul,” said an ODM youth leader from Kisumu, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We joined ODM to stand against what we believed was an unjust administration, not to prop it up.”

Leadership Divided

The party’s top leadership remains divided. While Odinga has maintained a cautious tone—often advocating dialogue and national unity—some senior figures, including MPs and senators, are calling for a reassessment of the party’s strategy.

“We cannot be in government and opposition at the same time,” said Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi during a recent rally. “The people expect us to stand firm and speak truth to power, not to dilute our voice in the name of cooperation.”

Strategic Considerations

Political analysts believe ODM’s internal turmoil reflects broader strategic concerns ahead of the 2027 General Election. By maintaining ties with the government, the party risks alienating its base and undermining its image as a strong opposition force. On the other hand, pulling out of the cooperation could isolate ODM from potential influence in government decisions and funding.

“There’s a real balancing act here,” said Prof. Herman Manyora, a political commentator. “ODM must weigh the short-term political risks against long-term electoral consequences.”

A Decision Looms

The party has announced that it will hold a high-level retreat later this month to deliberate on the way forward. According to insiders, the meeting is expected to produce a decisive resolution on the future of the party’s relationship with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

 

As the political temperature rises, all eyes are on Raila Odinga and the ODM leadership to provide clarity and direction in what is fast becoming a defining moment for Kenya’s political landscape.

Kenya Launches Nationwide Public Forums on Constitutional Amendment Bill

Nairobi, May 6, 2025 — The Kenyan Parliament has initiated a series of public participation forums across the country to gather citizen input on the proposed Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill No. 4 of 2025. This bill aims to enshrine three key development funds into the Constitution:

• National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF)

• Senate Oversight Fund

• National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)

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The public hearings commenced on May 5 and are scheduled to continue through May 7, 2025, covering all 290 constituencies and 47 counties. Sessions are being held daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at each constituency office and the offices of the 47 County Women Representatives.

This initiative follows previous legal challenges questioning the constitutional validity of these funds. By embedding them into the Constitution, the bill seeks to provide a solid legal foundation for their continued operation.

Kenyans are encouraged to participate in these forums to express their views. Additionally, written submissions can be sent via email to cna@parliament.go.ke or constitutionamendment@parliament.go.ke. Physical submissions can be delivered to the Clerk of the National Assembly at P.O. Box 41842-00100, Nairobi, or in person at the Main Parliament Buildings. All submissions must be received by 5:00 PM on June 10, 2025.

This public participation process is a critical step in ensuring that the voices of Kenyan citizens are heard in the constitutional amendment process, particularly concerning the management and oversight of development funds.

Kenya’s High Court Declares Worldcoin Operations Illegal Over Privacy Violations

Nairobi, May 6, 2025 — In a landmark decision, the High Court of Kenya has ruled that the operations of Worldcoin, a controversial cryptocurrency project backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, are illegal in the country. The court found that Worldcoin’s collection of biometric data from Kenyan citizens violated constitutional privacy rights.

Worldcoin, which uses eye-scanning “orbs” to collect users’ iris data in exchange for cryptocurrency tokens, had been operating in Kenya under scrutiny since 2023. Concerns were raised about the transparency of its data handling and the lack of informed consent from users — many of whom were drawn in by monetary incentives.

In its ruling, the court ordered an immediate halt to all Worldcoin activities in Kenya and mandated the deletion of all personal data already collected. The judgment stated that the company had failed to comply with Kenya’s Data Protection Act, and that the potential for misuse of sensitive biometric information posed a serious risk to national security and individual privacy.

Amnesty International Kenya praised the decision, calling it a critical step toward ensuring that multinational tech firms cannot exploit vulnerable populations under the guise of innovation.

“This ruling affirms that Kenyans’ rights cannot be traded for digital tokens,” said Irũngũ Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya. “The government and judiciary must remain vigilant in protecting the rights of citizens in the face of rapid technological change.”

The decision is likely to have far-reaching implications for other digital identity and data-driven projects in Kenya and across Africa, where regulatory frameworks are still evolving to keep pace with technological advancements.

As of now, Worldcoin has not issued an official response to the ruling.