Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ has urged ODM members to resist the temptation of rewriting history, insisting that Raila Odinga held former President Uhuru Kenyatta in high regard during his lifetime. According to Kajwang’, it is dishonest and divisive to distort that relationship now for short-term political convenience.
“The 2022 election is water under the bridge,” Kajwang’ said, warning against using it to sow confusion within ODM. He emphasized that the party must move forward with a clear purpose, embrace all its members, and refocus on delivering its broader national agenda. In his view, unity not endless postmortems is what will carry ODM to its destination.
Kajwang’s remarks come against the backdrop of simmering tensions within the broader Azimio and ODM ranks. Suna East MP Junet Mohamed previously accused Uhuru Kenyatta of attempting to “buy” ODM, claims that stirred controversy and reopened old wounds about the party’s independence and alliances. Those remarks were met with sharp pushback from within the coalition.
At the same time, internal disputes have flared. ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and olekanchory accused Junet of mishandling or “running away with” funds meant for Azimio agents during the 2022 election allegations that Junet has disputed. The exchanges exposed lingering mistrust and underscored how unresolved election-era grievances continue to haunt the coalition.
Kajwang’ argues that such public sparring only weakens ODM at a time when cohesion is critical. He has called on the party to embrace all progressive forces committed to its goals and to stop fighting yesterday’s battles. For ODM, he insists, the path forward lies in unity, honesty about its history, and a collective commitment to the future rather than recycling accusations that divide its base.
As ODM recalibrates for the road ahead, Kajwang’s message is clear: acknowledge the past without weaponizing it, close ranks, and move together toward the party’s next chapter.