Ruto: Oburu Oginga fronted ministries that ODM would get in broad-based gov't

Speaking at the ODM Founders’ Dinner in Mombasa on Saturday, President Ruto recounted a series of consultations he held with late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, noting that Oburu consistently served as the key confidant in every major discussion.

He said Raila had insisted that any substantive talks about the broad-based government must involve Oburu, describing the ODM leader as both Raila’s “brother, friend, and confidant.”

“It was Oburu Odinga who came and told me, ‘This is the list of the ministries we are thinking about,’ and it was a fairly long list,” the President said.

He noted that the list represented ODM’s expectations and negotiating position as it sought a framework for shared governance with the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.

The Head of State extended his goodwill to Oburu, for assuming the leadership of ODM, saying the party had entrusted him with significant responsibility at a decisive moment in national politics.

“This great party has given you the honour to steer its affairs. We can only wish you well. We can only wish you Godspeed,” Ruto stated.

He further urged the ODM leader to uphold the late Odinga’s political legacy, describing the former premier as a symbol of resilience and national vision.

“My hope and wish is that you will not let him down, that you will stand for what he stood for, match his vision, and work for this party the same way your brother and leader did,” he added.

A section of ODM members joined President William Ruto's cabinet in July 2024, after the Head of State dismissed his inaugural Cabinet following widespread protests sparked by 2024 tax laws. 

Ruto and Raila Odinga would later, in March 2025, sign a co-operation deal dubbed the broad-based-government agreement.