30/11/2025
Party Stalwart Cautions ODM Against "Bragging," Urges Strategic Silence to Bolster Party Value
NAIROBI – Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Vice Chairperson Otiende Amollo has issued a stern warning to party members, advising against public boasts about their participation in the current broad-based government, arguing such behaviour weakens the party's negotiating power.
Speaking at a church service on Saturday, the Rarieda MP drew a sharp contrast with the Kikuyu community, which he said holds significantly more positions in President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza administration but remains strategically quiet.
“Kikuyus have more posts in this government than we. We only have two cabinet positions while the Kikuyus have eight. We have only four principal secretaries while Kikuyus have 12, but you don't hear them bragging,” Amollo stated.
He cautioned that ODM's political value is determined by being needed, not by appearing needy. “Why are we the ones who are bragging too much? If we start bragging too much, we start reducing our value,” he said. “For us to go into the government, we must first wait until we are called; this will make us valuable.”
The lawmaker emphasised that party discipline and unity are crucial to positioning ODM as a powerful force ahead of the 2027 general elections. He suggested that a disciplined approach would force the government to seek ODM's assistance, thereby granting the party greater leverage in future negotiations for positions.
Amollo also addressed his recent low public profile, linking it to the party navigating a "very difficult time" following the death of its leader, Raila Odinga.
“Some of you have been wondering why I have not spoken lately. I had chosen not to speak because we are at a very difficult time, first we just lost our leader... and no one anticipated it,” the MP explained.
He used the moment to dismiss claims from other politicians about private conversations with the late Odinga, stating that only the former Prime Minister's public pronouncements should guide the party.
“The only thing that we can believe is what Raila spoke in public. And the only thing that Raila said is that we are gonna be in this government up to 2027,” Amollo reiterated. “Beyond 2027, it is we who are alive to determine.”
