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Member of Parliament, Suba South
Born
1960(66 yrs)
County
Homa Bay
Constituency
Suba South
Public Views
Experience
Documented career positions
Caroli Omondi (born 1960) is a Kenyan lawyer and politician serving as Member of Parliament for Suba South Constituency in Homa Bay County, first elected in the August 2022 general election on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket. A seasoned legal and policy professional, he is a former Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister under Raila Odinga (2008–2013), where he operated at the centre of Kenya’s Grand Coalition government, advising on policy, legislation and inter-governmental coordination. His election to Parliament marked the entry of a technocratic insider into elective politics in a region that has long been a bastion of ODM support. Omondi’s profile has since evolved from party insider to high-profile ODM rebel. Though formally listed as an ODM MP in parliamentary and civic records, he has openly worked with President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration, arguing that cooperation with the government is necessary for development in Suba South and Nyanza. This posture led ODM’s National Executive Committee in 2023 to resolve to expel him and other “rebel” MPs for defying party positions, even as he insists publicly that he is not financed by Kenya Kwanza and that his choices are constituency-driven. Beyond party wars, he serves in Parliament’s oversight architecture and has begun to sponsor significant amendment bills touching on public finance and education.
MP for Suba South (2022–present): Elected as a first-term MP for Suba South in 2022, giving him a direct electoral mandate in a politically strategic Homa Bay constituency.
Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Raila Odinga (2008–2013): Served as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister, a pivotal post during the Grand Coalition era, overseeing policy coordination, staff, and liaison with ministries and development partners.
Faced disciplinary action from ODM for associating with the ruling coalitionODM “rebel MP” label and disciplinary action: In 2023, the ODM National Executive Committee publicly resolved to expel five MPs, including Caroli Omondi, for “defying party position and gross misconduct” after they associated with President Ruto and Kenya Kwanza events
Working closely with Kenya Kwanza government: He has repeatedly appeared at State House and presidential events as part of a group of ODM legislators cooperating with the government, insisting they “owe no one an apology” for working with President Ruto in pursuit of development for their constituencies — a stance that has deepened rifts with ODM loyalists
News articles featuring Caroli Omondi
Senior legal and regulatory leadership: Previously held senior positions including Senior State Counsel at the State Law Office, Board Secretary at the Energy Regulatory Board, General Counsel at the African Trade Insurance Agency, and Senior Principal State Counsel, giving him significant experience in public law, regulation and international trade risk.
Sponsoring major reform bills: Identified as sponsor of two key Private Members’ Bills in the current Parliament — the Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Education Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 — signalling legislative ambition in budget governance and education policy.
Allegations about financing and influence: Amid criticism that Kenya Kwanza might be funding ODM rebels, Omondi has publicly denied being financed by the ruling coalition, stating in interviews that he finances his own political activities, including use of a helicopter, and that his cooperation is based on constitutional rights and development needs.
Comments on ODM history and Gachagua’s role: In 2025, he stirred debate by claiming that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua contributed KSh 2 million towards ODM’s early formation, remarks that sparked controversy within opposition ranks and fuelled narratives about complex historical ties between current rivals.
