Suba North MP and National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo has clarified that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is not part of the government despite some members working with President William Ruto’s administration.
Speaking in an interview with NTV on Wednesday, Odhiambo emphasized that while ODM members may cooperate with the government, the party has no formal agreement with Kenya Kwanza.
“It is a legal fact that ODM is not part of the government. We may be cooperating, but we are not in the government,” she said.
She dismissed claims that ODM is part of the broad-based government formed in July 2024. She stated that the party remains in opposition and has not entered any coalition agreement with Ruto’s administration.
When the panel suggested that the situation was like a “potato, potahto” scenario—implying that ODM’s role in government is just a matter of perception—Odhiambo disagreed. She explained that such an analogy would only apply if she, as an ODM member, acted as though she belonged to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The broad-based government was created following weeks of anti-government protests over a controversial tax bill in June 2024. As part of his efforts to promote national unity, Ruto appointed several ODM members to key Cabinet positions, including Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSME Development), John Mbadi (National Treasury), and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum).
Despite these appointments, ODM leaders have maintained that the party has not joined the Kenya Kwanza government. ODM leader Raila Odinga stated that while the government sought to work with some of its members, the party remains in opposition under the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
“We have released the four officials to work with the government, but ODM is still in opposition. There is no formal agreement between us and Kenya Kwanza,” Raila said.
Odhiambo’s remarks reinforce ODM’s stance that while individual members may collaborate with the government, the party as a whole remains outside Ruto’s administration
