Deliver or we meet on the streets, ODM tells Ruto

President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza brigade could be headed for another rough ride with the opposition after opposition chief Raila Odinga's ODM reignited criticisms against his administration.

The tone from the party's top brass has changed with the party appearing to be gearing up for ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/main-staging/business/politics/article/2001511440/we-will-not-support-rutos-reelection-odm-leaders-say">a fresh pushback< against Kenya Kwanza.

On Saturday, the party's lieutenants led by acting party leader Anyang Nyong'o warned the ruling regime to brace for possible demonstrations if it fails to deliver to the people.

While asking the President to ensure that they listen to the people at the grassroots and ensure they deliver their mandate, the party said it will not always be available to help the government to calm political storms as it did during the Genz demonstrations.

Nyong'o who was speaking during the burial of the late Professor Bethwel Ogot in Yala, Gem, Siaya county told President Ruto's administration to work for the people or face their wrath a second time.

"Now because we know where Kenya is headed and the needs of our people and we know that this country almost burnt down a few months ago because of genz demos and it is ODM and Raila that saved the day but we do not want to firefight all the time, let the government be aware that they can have problems with the people anytime and focus on working for them," said Nyong'o.

He noted that ODM can only help again in the future in firefighting if the government can be committal to its agenda to the people.

"But if the government refuses to listen they should be ready for another round of demonstrations from the people," said Nyong'o.

His sentiments were shared by Siaya Governor James Orengo who said that the government will not make any progress even if it ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/article/2001512225/ruto-will-still-lose-2027-polls-even-with-railas-support-sifuna?utm_cmp_rs=amp-next-page">has ODM's backing< if the leaders fail to do what is expected of them.

Orengo said that those in ODM must be people who can determine the direction where the country should go.

He also noted that Nyanza just like any region has a right to benefit from the government without having to support it since they are taxpayers.

"I am not afraid of speaking the truth. We are part of this nation and we are taxpayers and so like any other region, we have all the rights to benefit from the government. When I speak, I do not do so from a point of weakness and this even President Ruto knows. Nobody should make the people of Nyanza feel like they came to this country by accident," he said.

He added: " As a Luo community we are still seeking the presidency and that can only happen when we strengthen our party ODM."

But Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi who was at the burial said that ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001511864/heartbreak-in-railas-support-bases-following-auc-vote-loss?utm_cmp_rs=amp-next-page">the AUC election< had taught the people of Nyanza a lesson, especially on knowing who their genuine friends were.

Wandayi who said he was a senior member of the ODM party who walks with those they perceive as their enemies will be treated the same way.

"We know our genuine friends and we also know those who do not like us. President Ruto has proved to be our genuine friend. He walked with Raila in his quest for this AUC position from the beginning to the very end," said CS Wandayi.

Owalo who is the deputy chief of staff in charge of performance and delivery in President ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001511990/ruto-men-push-for-raila-to-get-position-of-pm">Ruto's administration<, argued that for a very long time, Nyanza had been marginalised but in the current government the President had made it clear that it would not be left behind.

Owalo said that they had agreed on 10 projects to be done under the leadership of President Ruto in Nyanza including Lake Victoria Ringroad, Koru Soin dam,fish processing plants, revitalization of the sugar, cotton and mining companies among others.

"I assure you that under this government we want to see tangible economic development in the Nyanza region. As a leadership from this region in the government, we have agreed to unite in the pursuit of Nyanza development," he said.

Meanwhile, tributes continued to pour for the late Prof Ogot even as he was laid to rest.

In his tribute read by Prof Adams Oloo Raila described the late Ogot as a genuine and authentic towering scholar who made history by changing perceptions about Africa and history.

Raila said that through painstaking work, Prof Ogot proved wrong the Eurocentric notion that there was no history in Africa until colonialists arrived and embarked on the so-called discoveries.

"In his academic work as his general life, Prof Ogot was authentic, deep, humble, and fiercely professional. I am a beneficiary of his scholarly depth and humility," added Raila.

In his tribute read by Owalo, President Ruto described the late Prof Ogot as a hero of our times noting that the country had lost an academic.

President Ruto noted that the late Prof Ogot was an astute thinker who contributed to the progress of the nation.

"He was an exceptional scholar whose work inspired many people, his leadership extended beyond academic roles and administration, yet his commitment, patriotism, and integrity always shone," added Ruto.