'One term...so what?' Raila defends Ruto alliance, tells critics to wait for 2027

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has slammed critics of the broad-based government, citing that they should give President William Ruto’s administration space to work and reserve their opinions until the 2027 General Election. 

Speaking on Friday during the burial of Dr. Phoebe Asiyo at Wikondiek in Homa Bay County, the former Prime Minister dismissed the mounting 'one-term' (‘wantam’) chants against President Ruto from the opposition, noting that the broad-based government will provide its track record to the public at the appropriate time and Kenyans would have their say. 

“To the naysayers, give us space and judge us in 2027. This is going to last till 2027, after that we’ll see where we’ll go,” he said.

“If you’re saying one term, one term…so what? It’s Kenyans who will decide the term,” Odinga added, exuding confidence that political noise would not derail the administration’s goals.

Further, the ODM leader heaped praise on the steps taken by the broad-based regime to implement the ten-point agenda within the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will ultimately transform the nation.

This included appointing a five-member committee to oversee implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, and scheduling a joint Kenya Kwanza-ODM Parliamentary Group meeting on August 18, 2025. 

The NADCO committee comprises social commentator and newspaper columnist Gabriel Oguda, former Nominated Senator Agnes Zani, Kevin Kiarie, Fatuma Ibrahim, and political communication strategist Javas Bigambo.

Its mandate will also include strengthening devolution, promoting youth empowerment, upholding integrity in leadership, advancing national inclusivity, and safeguarding the right to peaceful assembly.

Additionally, the committee will focus on addressing the national debt, combating corruption, curbing the misuse of public resources, and promoting the sovereignty of the people alongside the rule of law.

"We have a structure to ensure the MoU is implemented fully and that's why next week we shall have a joint Parliamentary Group meeting to ensure that our MPs put up structures so that we implement what we agreed on," noted the former premier.

The broad-based regime paved the way for Odinga and President Ruto to agree on working together in a bid to serve the nation more effectively.

As part of this inclusive approach, members of the ODM party were incorporated into Ruto's government, signaling a new chapter of political cooperation.

However, the move sparked criticism from various quarters, with opponents arguing that the strategy could weaken ODM’s political standing ahead of the 2027 polls.

Critics warned that the collaboration might blur party lines and undermine the opposition’s ability to mobilize its base when it seeks to vie for votes.