ODM Nairobi backs Ruto-Raila deal, condemns protest violence
By Mustafa Juma, July 16, 2025Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leaders from all 17 constituencies in Nairobi on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, convened to reflect on recent events in the country.
The Orange party, in a statement issued via social media on Wednesday, July 16, said that the leadership of the ODM Nairobi team had also convened to reaffirm their political position and chart the way forward under the Broad-Based Government framework.
In their resolutions, the ODM Nairobi leadership condemned the recent wave of violence, looting, and destruction witnessed during protests in the city. They described the incidents as lawless acts that led to the loss of lives, injuries, and damage to property.
“We have had a one-day meeting of ODM NAIROBI COUNTY CLUSTER team members from all our SEVENTEEN (17) BRANCHES/CONSTITUENCIES from NAIROBI COUNTY. We came together to take stock of recent happenings in the city, deliberate on our current engagements in the Broad-Based Government, and agree on the way forward. After lengthy and candid deliberations, the meeting resolved as follows: 1. That the party strongly condemns the acts of lawlessness recently witnessed in the city that led to massive looting and destruction of businesses, public institutions, injuries to innocent citizens, and loss of lives in some cases,” the statement read in part.
While acknowledging reports of excessive force by some security officers, the team called for a balanced probe.
“That even as the government takes action on security officers seen to have overreacted and brutalised citizens in the bid to contain the rioters, a probe must equally be conducted to identify, apprehend, and punish the people behind the looting and raping that happened during the protests,” ODM stated.
ODM on protests
The ODM Nairobi also distanced itself from the recent protests, asserting that they were not a commemoration of Saba Saba but a political ploy by certain leaders to settle scores with President William Ruto.
The team further reaffirmed its commitment to the broad-based government and the political agreement between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“That the party commends all its members, and indeed all city residents who chose peace and kept off the protests. It is our stand that what was witnessed were not a commemoration of Saba Saba but an attempt by a section of leaders to hide behind Saba Saba to settle political scores with President William Ruto,” the statement read.
“That as the ODM leadership in Nairobi, we recommit to support the Broad Based Government and President William Ruto under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding between himself and Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga.”
National unity
The team also called for national unity and urged all leaders to stop inciting the public.
“That the party remains committed to the need to maintain national unity, stability, and the creation of a conducive environment that enables the government to move with speed to tackle all the pressing socio-economic challenges our nation faces. We believe that despite any differences we may have, working together as Kenyans, we can seize this moment to usher our country into a new era of hope,” the Orange Party stated.
Adding: “That in pursuit of the above goal, we condemn the inflammatory rhetoric and actions by some leaders that are clearly aimed at undermining the government and making the country ungovernable. We call on the authorities to investigate and take action against such conduct.”
Emphasising their support for constitutional democracy, the leaders denounced any attempts at regime change outside the ballot box.
“That the party remains committed to the constitutional transfer of power through the ballot. Consequently, we distance ourselves from and condemn any efforts aimed at regime change by any other means, including violence and sabotage of government activities. ODM will never be a party to any such arrangements nor be associated with actors harbouring such plans,” the team resolved.
IEBC reconstitution
On electoral matters, the team welcomed the full reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and urged the new body to begin preparations for the 2027 General Election. They challenged opposition politicians to face the electorate instead of seeking shortcuts to power.
“That we commend the government for the full reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, after a long struggle accompanied by attempts of sabotage. We urge the newly constituted IEBC to immediately embark on preparations to hold free, fair, and credible elections in 2027. We call on all politicians who are dissatisfied with President Ruto and his government to prepare to face him at the ballot under the new IEBC in 2027. There will be no shortcuts to power,” the party stated.