• Perhaps the Luo Nation isn’t addicted to opposition per se but the drama that comes with overlapping political arenas. It may be a high-stakes balancing act: staying true to Raila’s defiant legacy while trying not to sink into the quicksand of self-serving coalition politics.

It’s beginning to feel as if the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) political heart beats strongest when there’s something to resist. Recent remarks from prominent ODM figures have reignited a decades-old question: is the Luo Nation drawn to opposition or to the drama of political defiance?

Despite ODM’s partial presence in government, a significant spirit within the party still seems to march to the rhythm of resistance.

At the ODM’S 20th anniversary in Mombasa, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga, daughter of the late Raila Odinga declared that ODM is “not a boardroom party.” She reminded supporters that “ODM was born on the streets,” and cautioned that the party’s arrangement with the UDA-led government is “complicated.” Her call for a return to grassroots democracy signals a continuation of her father’s confrontational legacy.

Like Raila, Winnie appears reluctant to fully trust the government, even while ODM shares governance space. This sentiment is echoed by Siaya Governor James Orengo.

Speaking at the same event, Orengo insisted, “Ruto needs ODM; not ODM that needs Ruto,” reinforcing the party’s reformist identity. Senator Oburu, now ODM party leader, took a gentler tone. He acknowledged ODM’s place in government until 2027, as per Raila’s directive, but promised to address internal tensions, including Winnie’s concerns.

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Then there’s Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, the youthful firebrand who remains openly skeptical of the UDA-ODM pact. He has repeatedly warned that President Ruto may be using cooperation to weaken ODM from within. His opposition isn’t new he skipped key meetings between Ruto and Raila and resisted the coalition even before Raila’s passing.

These voices Winnie, Orengo, Oburu, and Babu represent the current ideological spectrum within ODM. On one side stands the fiery reformists; on the other, the pragmatic coalition-builders. Babu Owino, meanwhile, plays the role of ODM’s self-appointed gatekeeper: “If you want to get in, check first if you’re allowed.”

Perhaps the Luo Nation isn’t addicted to opposition, but rather to the high-stakes balancing act of staying true to Raila’s legacy while navigating coalition politics. It’s not about rejecting power—it’s about guarding identity.

In short: the Luo Nation may not seek perpetual opposition, but it certainly keeps one eye on the exit door—just in case.

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