The political marriage between the opposition and the government has hit a rocky patch in Western Kenya. A defiant faction of ODM leaders has categorically rejected any coalition talks with President Ruto’s UDA, declaring their loyalty lies with the people, not power.

The simmering tensions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have erupted into open rebellion. Speaking at a charged rally in Busia, senior party figures led by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna drew a line in the sand, dismissing the ongoing courtship between the opposition and the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration as a betrayal of their electorate.

This rejection is significant because it exposes the deep ideological cracks widening within Raila Odinga’s party. While some factions appear eager to warm up to the government for the sake of "development," this hardline group is arguing that the role of the opposition is to check power, not share it. Their declaration in Busia—a traditional ODM stronghold—sends a clear signal that the grassroots base may not be as pliable as the party elite assumes.

Principled Opposition or Political Survival?

Governor Orengo, a veteran of Kenya’s liberation struggles, did not mince his words. He framed the potential coalition as a moral failing, insisting that ODM’s mandate is to champion the welfare of ordinary Kenyans struggling under the weight of the high cost of living, rather than seeking comfortable seats at the high table.

• The Orengo Doctrine: "We will not join a government whose policies we do not agree with," Orengo declared, positioning himself as the guardian of the party's original reformist soul.
• Sifuna's Warning: Senator Edwin Sifuna, known for his combative style, warned that any "handshake" with the UDA would be viewed as a sellout by the "mwananchi" who has borne the brunt of recent tax hikes.
• The Wanga Factor: Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga also weighed in, distancing the party hierarchy from rogue elements who have been making unauthorized overtures to the state.

The Busia Declaration

The choice of Busia for this pronouncement was strategic. By rallying the base in Western Kenya, these leaders are effectively daring the pro-government faction within ODM to bring the deal to the people. The message was clear: The party is not for sale.

The leaders accused the UDA administration of using "development tours" as a Trojan horse to weaken the opposition. They pointed to the rising cost of fuel and basic commodities as evidence that the government has failed, arguing that joining such an administration would be tantamount to endorsing failure. "Our job is to keep them on their toes, not to hold their hands," one speaker told the cheering crowd.

As the political temperatures rise, all eyes are now on party leader Raila Odinga. Will he heed the call of his lieutenants in the West, or will he proceed with the broad-based government talks? For now, the Busia faction has made their stance unequivocal: resistance is the only way forward.