Nairobi-based lawyer Fanya Mambo Kinuthia has criticized the emerging political cooperation between the William Ruto administration and leaders from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), claiming the opposition party has already lost politically even before the coalition begins to function.
Kinuthia made the remarks following a recent rally in Nairobi where President Ruto appeared to mock some ODM leaders over the now-viral phrase “tunataka power” that has been circulating in political circles.
During the rally, Ruto questioned what kind of power ODM leaders were seeking, laughing as he addressed the crowd.
His comments quickly sparked debate among political analysts and supporters of Raila Odinga, the longtime ODM party leader.
Reacting to the remarks, Kinuthia said the president’s reaction showed that the party’s leadership had been politically outmaneuvered.
According to the lawyer, the ODM leadership appeared weakened in the arrangement and had allowed itself to be publicly ridiculed.
“President Ruto made a mockery of the top leadership in ODM. He was laughing and wondering what kind of ‘pawa’ they were looking for,” Kinuthia said.
He further argued that the party risks losing political influence, particularly in key urban strongholds like Nairobi, if the situation continues.
Kinuthia accused some individuals within the party of prioritizing personal interests over the values the party has historically stood for under Raila Odinga.
“ODM has lost in this coalition even before it started. The reason is that there are a few greedy individuals within ODM who cared only about their stomachs and forgot the ideals that Raila Odinga fought for,” he stated.
The lawyer warned that the political consequences could be felt during upcoming elections, especially in Nairobi where ODM has traditionally enjoyed strong support.
He predicted that several ODM leaders could struggle to retain their seats if the party’s supporters feel betrayed by the ongoing political cooperation with President Ruto’s administration.
The remarks add to the growing debate surrounding the new political alliances shaping the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election.