Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has defended ODM’s role in President William Ruto’s government, saying the party will continue to fight for justice and development from within the system.
Speaking at a public forum in Homa Bay, Wanga emphasized that the decision to join the broad-based government was not a betrayal of party values. She said it followed the direction of ODM leader Raila Odinga and aligns with the party’s mission.
“We have no apologies to make. We are firm, we are fierce, and we will continue to stand for the people and with the people but from within the broad-based government,” Wanga stated.
Wanga said ODM would not be pressured into political retreats or external alliances. “We have a position as a party, and that position is that we are part and parcel of the broad-based government, and we have been led there by our party leader. We don’t want to be pressured in or out,” she added.
She accused some leaders of politicizing ODM’s participation in government to block development in regions that have long supported Odinga.
“The biggest problem of some of these people is not even President Ruto. Their problem is that the ODM party, particularly our community, has been included in government, and that we have projects coming here,” Wanga said.
She referenced recent comments by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who expressed concerns over infrastructure investments being directed to Nyanza. “Gachagua says it without blinking that instead of Ruto taking projects elsewhere, he is taking projects to Nyanza. That is why he is aggrieved,” Wanga noted.
The governor maintained that all parts of Kenya deserve equal investment. “Nyanza and Raila’s strongholds in the Coast, Western, Turkana, Samburu, and everywhere in this country are part and parcel of Kenya and entitled to development like every other part,” she said.
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo echoed Wanga’s stance, saying ODM would not get dragged into political theatrics.
“We do not want to get involved in personal issues that are being made to look like national issues. We know we are collaborating with the KK government as ODM, but we are collaborating with our principles,” Odhiambo said.
She dismissed claims that development in the region was a reward for political loyalty. “There’s this narrative we keep being told that we should observe table manners because we are ‘eating.’ But eating here does not mean we are eating ugali and samaki. What you’re seeing is tarmac on our roads things we’ve not seen since independence.”
ODM’s participation in the Kenya Kwanza government has sparked sharp debate within opposition circles. Wanga and Odhiambo now appear to be drawing a clear line: collaboration with power, without abandoning the party’s principles.
