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ODM senator denounces support for broad-based government
28th July, 2025 03:14 AM
An ODM Senator has denounced support for the broad-based government, opting to throw his weight behind former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Speaking in Borabu on Sunday, July 27, 2025, Nyamira Senator Okong’o OMogeni observed that he could not be in the broad-based government, citing the reduction of capitation towards free education, challenges in the healthcare insurance, and the killing of young people agitating for good governance.
“I am not in that broad-based government; I cannot be part and parcel of a government that kills our children,” Mogeni said.
One-term chants
“When the citizens say you will serve for one term, it is not that they do not like your appearance, but because they are opposed to your policies.”
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has been linked to Matiang’i following his attendance at the former CS’s public functions and opposition rallies.
Despite being elected on ODM tickets in the 2022 polls, the senators have aligned themselves with Matiang’i, who is among the leaders of the United Opposition, who could vie for the presidency in 2027.
Divisions within ODM
The declaration by Mogeni adds to the growing divisions within the ODM Party, with a section of the party in support of the broad-based government, while another vehemently opposed to it.
During the Kakamega County delegates conference on July 25, 2025, ODM Party leader defended Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna against attacks by a section of the leaders opposed to his dislike for the broad-based government.
“We have to protect the rights of people to speak. If Sifuna has spoken, he has a right to speak. Let him speak. If you have a different opinion, say yours. That is the essence of democracy. I have not said anyone should not speak their mind. Even if I am wrong, you have the right to speak your opinion. We must uphold democracy in our party.
Sifuna, during a recent interview, lambasted the pact between Ruto and Raila signed on March 7, 2025.
The remarks followed his sustained onslaught on the government, which at one time prompted Raila to defend him, albeit with a warning to measure his words while on his offensive against the government.
Raila further explained why he has not gone publicly to respond to Sifuna.
“If Sifuna talks. I will not answer him in the newspaper. I will wait for the party meetings, like the Central Party Committee and the NEC, where each sits and says what we have agreed. So, there is no problem with what Sifuna and others have said. Soon you will hear our stance as a party,” he stated.
