Tensions are mounting within Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s political camp as a series of recent developments has triggered deep introspection and unease. From mysterious abductions and reported extrajudicial killings to the death of digital influencer Albert Ojwang’ in police custody, the ODM camp is beginning to question the price of its political accommodation with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The alliance, once viewed as a strategic truce to foster national stability and promote bipartisan dialogue, is now facing a crisis of confidence. ODM insiders say the party is at risk of losing its identity and credibility among its grassroots supporters, who have long trusted Raila as a voice of accountability and justice.
The death of Ojwang’, a prominent online figure affiliated with the opposition, has reignited fears about state overreach and police brutality. Many within ODM view this as a betrayal of the supposed spirit of political detente. “We cannot sit back as our young people are silenced and brutalised. This is not what we signed up for,” said a senior ODM official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Compounding the discomfort are political missteps by President William Ruto’s administration, especially its handling of the Finance Bill and the recent wave of Gen Z-led protests. ODM leaders now fear that by aligning too closely with Kenya Kwanza, the party may be seen as complicit in unpopular government decisions—baggage that could severely damage its prospects in the 2027 elections.
Several ODM MPs have begun calling for a reassessment of the political pact, with some suggesting that it may be time for the party to recalibrate its strategy and reassert its independence. Grassroots mobilization is being reignited in parts of Nyanza and Western Kenya, where disillusionment is growing.
The coming months will be pivotal for Raila’s team. As the opposition recalibrates its role amid shifting political dynamics and growing public outrage, one thing is clear: the uneasy calm that followed the handshake with Ruto may be giving way to a new era of political reckoning.
