ODM Fully Behind Broad-Based Government, Rules Out Exit

By Violet Kerubo

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) remains fully committed to the Kenya Kwanza-ODM broad-based government, dismissing suggestions that the party could withdraw from the arrangement.

Mbadi spoke on Tuesday at the National Treasury building in Nairobi after hosting ODM county chairpersons for discussions on the government’s performance and political developments, particularly in Nairobi.

The CS said 15 of ODM’s 17 county chairpersons attended the meeting, while two were absent with apologies.

According to Mbadi, the leaders reaffirmed their support for the broad-based government and pledged to work with the administration to advance its development agenda.

He said the meeting also focused on Nairobi politics and how the two political formations can coordinate their activities and strengthen cooperation at the grassroots.

Mbadi, a former ODM national chairman, said his long association with the party has given him a strong working relationship with many of its leaders.

“I have worked with these people for the longest time. Most of the leaders in ODM are not new to me,” Mbadi said.

He argued that ODM had spent many years outside government and that its current participation in the broad-based administration should not be interpreted as temporary.

The leaders, he said, were clear that they are supporting the arrangement fully and have no intention of walking away.

The ODM county chairpersons also reportedly maintained that the party’s decision to remain in the broad-based government was consistent with the political direction left behind by the late ODM leader Raila Odinga.

They said Raila died while ODM was part of the broad-based government and that they would therefore continue supporting the arrangement.

The leaders further pledged to remain united behind ODM leaders serving within the broad-based administration, including ODM Acting Party Leader Oburu Oginga, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Kisii Governor Simba Arati.

On Nairobi leadership, Mbadi said ODM and UDA would establish a joint team comprising 10 members, with five representatives from each party.

The team will be tasked with developing a political strategy on how the two parties will share and produce leadership in Nairobi.

The proposed arrangement is expected to provide a framework for negotiations between ODM and UDA ahead of the 2027 General Election, particularly over elective positions in the capital.

Mbadi said the discussions were part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two sides and ensure that the broad-based government remains functional at both the national and grassroots levels.