How Ruto's 2027 presidential bid could polarise ODM
Nyanza
By
James Omoro
| Nov 25, 2025
A new dissent that may polarise ODM party over its decision to support President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027 has emerged.
ODM party Leader Oburu Oginga recently declared that President Ruto does not have automatic support of the orange party in his re-election bid. Instead, the support will depend on how Ruto is going to treat them in the broad based government.
Oburu’s declaration is supported by the ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
But the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has made a statement which shows that ODM may be polarised over the decision to back Ruto’s re-election.
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Mbadi has slammed ODM members opposing Ruto’s re-election and termed them as distractors.
The CS has accused the officials of dragging the feet of the party in making a decision which can enable ODM to acquire power in future.
Mbadi who is a life member of ODM and served for the longest duration as the party national chairman said ODM must support Ruto’s re-election.
Speaking at God Agulu village when he led a team of politicians who campaigned for ODM candidate for Kasipul parliamentary by-election Boyd Were, Mbadi told the party officials opposing Ruto’s re-election to stop dragging the party members’ feet backwards.
“Supporting Ruto’s 2027 presidential seat is a done deal that is not negotiable anymore. Anybody who is opposing Ruto’s re-election is dragging our feet backwards,” Mbadi said.
Mbadi told Nyanza residents to be cautious with ODM members who are opposing Ruto’s re-election. He argued that most of them are so old that they may not think constructively to ensure the future well being of the party.
“It is unfortunate that the majority of ODM leaders who want to take us back to the politics of street protests are from Nyanza. But what aggravates the situation is that most of them are so old that their brains will stop to think constructively after ten years. Avoid them,” Mbadi said.
Mbadi said ODM officials who are opposing Ruto’s presidency in 2027 are working against the gains made by the former party leader, the late Raila Odinga, in ensuring the party forms a government.
“I want all my party members to take a flashback and know that Raila started the journey to presidency in 1997 when only Luos voted for him. He struggled to pave the way until he died when we were in the government. Let nobody take us backwards,” he added.
Mbadi said the only wise decision for ODM to make is to support Ruto’s re-election.
The CS said he knew what is good for the ODM party and its supporters.
“I am speaking as a member of ODM who knows what is good for the party. We must support President Ruto’s re-election in 2027,” Mbadi said.
He said Ruto has shown them political goodwill that should not be underestimated.
“Despite our strongholds not voting Ruto in 2027, he has shown us that he is a true friend of ours. For example, there are a number of development projects we are enjoying in Nyanza region because President Ruto is a true friend,” Mbadi said.
Mbadi argued that it is through supporting Ruto that they will negotiate with UDA to support an ODM member to become president in 2032.
If Ruto is re-elected, his presidential tenure will end in 2032. This will pave the way for new politicians in the presidential race.
Mbadi declared his interest in becoming the Luo kingpin with the objective of succeeding President Ruto in 2032 if he is elected again.
“By supporting Ruto’s re-election, we are going to have hope in development. It is through this plan that will enable us to negotiate and acquire power. I am also capable,” Mbadi said.
Mbadi told Kasipul residents to vote for Boyd Were during the by-election on Thursday.
Were, promised to undertake development projects for transforming the lives of Kasipul residents if elected.
“I appeal to the people of Kasipul to elect me so that I complete the development projects which my father left,” Were said.