Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) youth leader Kasmuel McOure has defended the party’s relevance and ideological clarity in the post–Raila Odinga era, insisting that ODM’s survival does not hinge on rebranding or redefining itself.
Speaking during a recent political forum, McOure dismissed suggestions that ODM needs to reinvent itself following the passing of its long-time leader, Raila Odinga.
He argued that the party’s foundation in social democracy remains clear and consistent.
“The ODM does not need to redefine anything. We are a center-left party rooted in social democracy,” McOure stated.
“We believe in a civic republic where education, healthcare, and basic rights should be availed by the state. That is our ideology, and it has not changed.”
He emphasized that ODM’s guiding philosophy is distinct from transient political “issues,” which often dominate national debates.
“People confuse ideology with issues. Issues come and go, but ideology is what anchors a movement,” he added.
McOure Defends Raila’s and ODM’s Handshakes
McOure also defended Raila Odinga’s political legacy, particularly his controversial “handshakes” with rival leaders over the years.
He argued that the former Prime Minister’s decisions were guided by national stability, not personal ambition.
“People castigate Raila for getting into handshakes. But he didn’t become Prime Minister out of his own doing — he did because the democracy of our country failed him,” McOure explained.
He further noted that ODM’s decision to boycott the 2017 repeat presidential election was not a unilateral move by Odinga but a collective stand by the party.
“That was not Raila’s decision alone. The party resolved that it would not participate in a sham election. That is the kind of principle ODM has always stood for,” he said.
ODM’s Place in the Broad-Based Government
Addressing questions on ODM’s role in the current broad-based government, McOure clarified that the party’s participation was guided by a formal agreement and specific conditions.
“ODM entered this arrangement through a signed memorandum of understanding. We are in it with a caveat, we shall remain until 2027 only if certain commitments are fulfilled,” he stated.
He maintained that ODM remains the most grounded political movement in Kenya, balancing activism with responsibility.
“We are the only mainstream party that has consistently stood with families of protest victims. We’ve borne the brunt of state repression, yet we’ve remained firm on our principles,” McOure said.
McOure also highlighted the party’s achievements in governance, pointing to ODM’s representation in both Parliament and county leadership.
“If you look at the top ten performing Members of Parliament, a bulk of them are from ODM,” he said.
“We also have some of the best-performing counties in the country. That speaks to the strength of our systems and the dedication of our leaders.”
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