The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) top leadership on Sunday dismissed claims that a merger with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party was in the offing.
Speaking after a meeting in Vihiga County, ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi called out UDA leaders who have been trying to woo ODM members and handling the idea of a merger.
"We do not want any other party to bring propaganda to our members. We wish to inform the UDA Party that they have been welcomed to our region but they should have respect as well. They should stop telling lies as we know our party leader is Raila Odinga," Osotsi stated.
"Some people have been walking around in Vihiga County saying that they will support UDA because even ODM has joined UDA. I want to tell my friends at ANC (Amani National Congress) that if they have decided to merge with UDA they should do so peacefully without dragging ODM's name in it."
This stance comes just a few weeks after Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi's ANC merged with UDA further strengthening the political landscape in the Western region.
For months since four top ODM leaders were recruited into President William Ruto's broad-based Cabinet, Kenyans and reportedly some party leaders have been left wondering where they stand; in the government or opposition.
Despite the wrangles in the party, a section, including the party's Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, have maintained their oversight mandate, constantly criticising the Kenya Kwanza Government.
Sifuna has even gone for the former ODM leaders in the Cabinet including Treasury's John Mbadi, Energy's Opiyo Wandayi, Cooperative's Wycliffe Oparanya, and Mining's Ali Hassan Joho.
During the meeting in Vihiga, the leaders came to Sifuna's defence, backing his calls for the government's accountability for issues plaguing the nation.
"We will continue to back Senator Sifuna on the issues he raises on the government's rot so that our government becomes responsible," one of the leaders said.
The party leaders also relayed that they would be fielding a Presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections and they had already embarked on a nationwide mass recruitment to strap up for the elections.
If former party leader Raila Odinga wins the African Union Chairmanship later this month, 2027 will be the first time the party will have a different flag bearer since it was founded in 2005.
