NAIROBI, Kenya – Internal wrangles continue to threaten to tear the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party apart after the death of its former leader, Raila Odinga, in October 2025.
This is after outspoken Saboti MP Caleb Amisi took issue with a section of his colleagues in the Orange party, including Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, over what he termed ‘betraying’ the former prime minister.
In a lengthy social media post, Amisi appealed to Raila to give the ODM fraternity a “signal.”
“They are here again. These people are here, dreaming ghosts and bad spirits in your name, Baba; they are here. They had no respect for you when you were alive; they do not respect you either when you are gone. Give us a signal,” the youthful ODM MP wrote.
Serving his second term in office, Amisi claimed that Mbadi and the rest of his colleagues serving in the broad-based government ‘used’ Raila’s name to get to power and that Raila didn’t get to power himself.
“They are here, Baba, give us a signal. They pretended to believe in you just so that the voters could, in turn, believe in them. Baba, they are pretending to be dreaming so that the voters can believe in them even in your death. Baba, give us a signal,” he added.
Why Raila’s allies vowed to remain in President Ruto’s government
During Raila’s burial in Bondo, Siaya County, top ODM figures serving in President William Ruto’s administration vowed to remain in the broad-based government, saying it was the late Raila’s wish for the party to work with the current regime.
The ODM-affiliated Cabinet Secretaries, including Mbadi, Mining CS Hassan Joho, Cooperatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, and EAC CS Beatrice Askul, pledged, insisting that it was Raila himself who had directed them to join President Ruto’s administration as part of his broader vision for national unity and inclusivity.
“Raila showed us before he died that he wanted us to be in government as a community and as a party; we will support the broad-based government,” Treasury CS Mbadi stated.
Why ODM members in government must work for their people
However, hours to the ODM@20 celebrations that are being held from November 14 to 16, 2025, at the historic Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa County, Amisi indicated that there was a need for the CSs to work for their people.
“They must pay back the many years of pretending around you while leaving their constituents languishing in poverty. Baba, please give us a signal. For us, your sons and daughters who truly believed in your ideals, values and aspirations, we are ready to take them head on and we shall finish the journey for you. Baba. Please give us a signal. Kenya needs a renaissance!” Amisi further said.
Raila’s death has left ODM at a political crossroads, balancing his legacy of opposition-driven reform with a pragmatic approach to governance.
The former premier, 80, died of cardiac arrest while receiving treatment in Kochi, India.
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