Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Raila Odinga has once again sent mixed signals over the party’s support for President William Ruto amid fears there could be trouble in paradise in their political union.

Raila, on Friday, said the review and implementation of the 10-point agenda under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the party will determine the direction of the party ahead of the next polls and its engagement with Ruto.

Raila’s moves come amid growing internal rift among ODM leaders over Ruto-Raila pact.

The party leader also defended ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, stating he is exercising his democratic right, besides being a party spokesperson, adding that anyone is free to have a divergent opinion.

“It is not a must for people to have the same opinion, and we must defend the right to speak. If Sifuna has spoken, he has the right to do so, and if one feels he or she has a different opinion from what Sifuna is saying, then he or she is free to say what he or she feels, and that is democracy,” said Raila.

, Kisumu

But even as he spoke at the Golf Hotel in Kakamega County during the Kakamega County ODM delegates conference, top party leaders elsewhere were hitting out at the Nairobi Senator for criticising the MoU.

Led by ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga, Minority leader Junnet Mohammed, and minority whip Millie Odhiambo, the leaders said the only person who can tell them to leave the union between ODM and UDA is their party Leader, Raila Odinga, claiming that their agreement with UDA remains intact.

“Raila gave us instructions earlier this year when we signed an MOU with UDA and also a few days ago when he said he will support Ruto up to 2027,” Wanga said.

They said they support the Kenya Kwanza government led by President William Ruto as he had delivered on most of his promises and pledges to the people of Nyanza.

They spoke in Muhoroni, during the Kisumu County Economic Empowerment Program and Launch of Shield Okumba SACCO, Muhoroni Constituency, an initiative led by Kisumu County MP Ruth Odinga.

Speaking on Tuesday night in an interview with a local TV station, Sifuna said the agreement was anchored on two fundamental pillars, one of which, he argued, has not been honoured by the current administration.

The ODM leader said he could not answer Sifuna in public or the press, stating that there are the right party structures to do so.

“I cannot answer Sifuna in the Newspapers. We have party structures where we raise issues that are in public… What Sifuna has said, we will sit as a part, discuss and give the party direction and position to Kenyans and ODM must tolerate divergence of opinions, and we are going to review our pact with our colleagues and give the position of the party,” said Raila.

 On the extra-judicial killings, Raila said compensation for victims of brutality was among the issues the party agreed with the ruling government to implement.

Raila said he is still in Kenyan politics until the party decides so.

Defiant Sifuna told off his critics within and outside the ODM party, stating that he will only listen to his party leader and Kenyans over his sharp criticism of President Ruto.

“Some people have been telling me I am going against my party leader, and I might be kicked out of the party if I express a contrary opinion. I want to say that I am a student of Raila, and he has taught me that a leader must be corrected and be ready to embrace criticism,” said Sifuna.

He added, “I cannot disrespect my party leader, and for those telling me that they are the founder of ODM, I want to say that I might have my shortcomings, but I will listen to my party leader and the people until the day he tells me that my conduct is unbecoming.”

Sifuna added that for the national dialogue to be successful, President Ruto must stop selling fear to dissent through abductions and extra-judicial killings.

“Kenyans are ready for national dialogue, but they cannot be free when they are being arrested they sharing something on social media. Ruto must ensure the environment is free of intimidation and threat,” said Sifuna.

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa said ODM is a democratic party calling for the full implementation of the 10-point agenda.

“We are calling for the implementation of the MoU we signed with the government. We want our party leader to be respected, and we do not want some leaders to bring confusion to the party,” said Barasa.

He added, “As the party and county, we support the bread-based government because we have seen the collaboration between the national and county governments in the completion of the Bukhungu Stadium and Kakamega Level Six Hospital.”

Deputy Party Leader and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir defended Sifuna from any attacks, stating that the party cannot keep silent when the government is doing wrong.