President William Ruto has offered a rare backstage glimpse into the 2024 negotiations that birthed Kenya’s broad-based government, crediting Siaya senator Oburu Oginga as the pivotal go-between who delivered a detailed Orange Democratic Movement ministry shopping list.
Addressing the ODM Founders Dinner in Mombasa on Saturday, Ruto revealed that the late Raila Odinga refused to entertain any serious power-sharing talks unless his elder brother was present.
“Oburu was Raila’s brother, friend and trusted adviser,” the president said, describing the senator as the linchpin in every major consultation.
The wishlist, which Ruto called “fairly long”, became the blueprint for cabinet allocations after he sacked his initial team in July 2024 amid nationwide anti-tax protests. ODM heavyweights entered government the following March when Ruto and Raila formally inked the cooperation pact.
Framing his remarks as a nod of respect, Ruto urged Oburu, now steering ODM through its post-Raila transition, to honour his brother’s legacy of resilience and political clarity.
“The party has placed enormous responsibility on your shoulders at a defining moment,” he said, imploring the acting leader to preserve the movement’s reformist DNA amid deepening ties with the administration.
The disclosure lands as ODM grapples with internal soul-searching over its identity. Critics within the party fear full integration risks diluting its accountability mandate, while supporters argue the cabinet seats amplify influence on policy.
