Losing identity? Questions rise as ODM supports disliked policies

For nearly 19 years, it was the potent force pushing back against the government’s excesses and the strongest voice against unfamiliar or unconstitutional decisions by the past regimes.

Backed by a formidable team of legal brains in its ranks and seasoned politicians led by its powerhouse and leader, Raila Odinga, ODM built its profile as a people’s defender.

They are the ones who could rally their supporters to push the government to drop or amend unpopular decisions, and were willing to take a bullet or strong teargas fumes to drive their agenda home.

In its major political bases, the Raila-led party's political wizardry and effortless ability to rally the masses to support their calls against the government's decisions it deemed unpopular, was almost unmatched.

But times have changed. The events that have taken place this week have exposed ODM’s changing fortunes and identity. What was once the voice of the oppressed is now defending the very wrongs it read and pushed back against in the past.

The Orange party's critics and the restless youth are convinced, the party has betrayed the fight against good governance. ODM stalwarts, however, believe the party's supporters do not deserve to spend several years in opposition and must now enjoy the trappings of power.

So sharp is the change that not even the reconstitution of the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) by President William Ruto, despite a court order suspending the exercise, caused ripples in ODM’s political pond.

Instead, ODM’s foot soldiers were quick to praise the exercise and described it as a step in the right direction for the country, as they also began their own preparations for by-elections in a number of constituencies.

In the same week, ODM backed and fronted the controversial budget that has increased funding for preferred national government offices, such as the Office of the President have their allocations increased in what experts term as misplaced priorities.

According to ODM insiders, the party’s dalliance with Kenya Kwanza has changed its priorities, and the party is now approaching governance from a different perspective.

“The new ODM may be unpopular, but we are doing the right thing. The party is supporting the government,” said a senior ODM leader.

On Saturday, a section of ODM leaders told Sunday Standard that they are supporting the government and all its decisions, but are still providing oversight.

An ODM MP from Nyanza said they are still subscribing to the ideals of the party and were among the vocal supporters of a probe into this week's murder of teacher Albert Ojwang by suspected state agents.

On Friday, however, one of the senior ODM figures and Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi changed tune and criticized Kenyans who had staged protests to demand justice for Ojwang.

He claimed the organizers of the protests were responsible for the chaos that were witnessed in parts of Nairobi. He claimed that the level of destruction was beyond the ones that occured in the past.

He was speaking in Nyando constituency, where he launched a last-mile electricity connectivity project to benefit more than 200 households in Kaganda and Mudho villages. 

"If someone thinks they can take over power from President William Ruto, they are daydreaming. Those who think they can use other people's children to cause chaos and violence will soon remain alone," he said.

He maintained they are firmly supporting Ruto's regime and claimed that the country's economy has stabilized.

But he is not alone. Other ODM figures have become vocal supporters of the government and believe any attempt to question the government's frailties is an attempt to dislodge Ruto from power.

In its major support bases, political activities have become rare, while forums have turned into marketing campaigns for Kenya Kwanza’s policies and an embarrassing effort to create divisions along tribal lines.

Observers, however, are torn. While some say the party is losing its identity and has gone to bed with an oppressive regime, others believe the party is maturing and has taken new steps to transform the country.

Constitutional lawyer Clifford Obiero opines that ODM appears to be losing its identity by staying silent on key national issues.

"The party built its name on speaking truth to power, yet its failure to address the IEBC reconstitution despite a court order, and the brutal murder of Albert Ojwang, signals a worrying retreat," Lawyer Obiero says.

He believes the party's silence risks alienating its base and weakening its role as a watchdog in Kenya’s democracy.

Similarly, Strategic and Political Communications consultant Dr Barack Muluka says ODM is ideologically dead.

"It no longer represents what it did, except for the lonely voices of hope," he says.

He believes ODM is now only about mechanical numbers and hero worship.

Others, however, believe the party is maturing and is no longer interested in participating in the country's political scene the way it approached it in the past through fierce opposition.

According to political analyst and lawyer Joshua Nyamori, the party has embraced inclusivity and has matured in the country’s political scene.

"The government is built on inclusivity—UDA, ODM moderates, and independents working together to move Kenya forward," Lawyer Nyamori says.

The lawyer thinks the country can no longer afford opposition for opposition’s sake.

He opines that the country needs leaders who choose the hard road of reform over the easy path of rhetoric.

Political analyst Mark Bichachi believes the party is not losing identity but is only keen on benefiting from the trappings of power.

"This dual identity is by design and not by mistake," analyst Bichachi says.

He thinks the party is not losing identity but rather occupying an interesting and beneficial state of power for them.

Additional reporting by Anne Atieno