Kalonzo Demands ODM Quit Minority Leadership as Party Prepares Joint PG with UDA

Kalonzo Musyoka addressing lawyers at the annual LSK conference on August 15th. (Photo: Kalonzo)

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has called on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to give up its Minority leadership roles in Parliament before the joint parliamentary group (PG) meeting with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) scheduled for Monday.

At a wedding on Saturday, August 16th, Kalonzo accused ODM of being deceitful, claiming that the party cannot simultaneously work with the ruling coalition and claim to lead the opposition.

“ODM has one leg in government and one leg in the Opposition. They should do the honourable thing — should they consummate the marriage on Monday to UDA with a joint PG — and vacate the offices of the Minority, including Leader and Chief Whip of both Houses,” Kalonzo said.

His comments are made just hours before President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga are scheduled to jointly chair a PG meeting at the KCB Leadership Centre in Nairobi. This significant gathering will unite MPs from both parties based on the ten-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in October of the previous year.

The ODM–UDA Memorandum of Understanding pledged both parties to a comprehensive government framework centered on economic reforms, youth empowerment, devolution funding, reconciliation, and executing the recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which includes compensating victims of last year’s anti-government protests. To advance this agenda, Ruto and Raila recently established a five-member committee led by ODM’s former Secretary-General Agnes Zani.

File image of President William Ruto (UDA Party Leader) and ODM leader Raila Odinga sign a cooperation agreement at KICC. (Photo: KBC)

Kalonzo's critique highlights increasing discomfort within the opposition, particularly among Azimio coalition members, who believe that ODM's collaboration with UDA is gradually erasing the distinction between the government and the opposition.

Strengthening the narrative, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna made a notable statement last week, affirming loyalty to Wiper while subtly questioning the developing ODM–UDA alliances.

While speaking in Kitui, Sifuna rejected claims that ODM had distanced itself from the Azimio coalition, stating:

“There are people who have forgotten that ODM and Wiper are still in the Azimio coalition. I recognise Kalonzo Musyoka as my leader in Azimio. I also recognise my Wiper brothers as my brothers in Azimio.”

ODM is criticized for undermining Kenya's parliamentary balance of power by holding onto key positions like the Minority Leader and Minority Whip in both Houses.

The Minority offices play a crucial role in directing oversight, managing debate time, and affecting committee membership. If ODM relinquishes these positions, Wiper, known for being the most outspoken critic of the Kenya Kwanza government, could benefit greatly by taking on the role of official opposition leadership in Parliament.

For Kalonzo, this moment transcends parliamentary calculations; it is about regaining political ground. As ODM cozies up to Ruto and UDA, Wiper perceives a chance to establish itself as the genuine opposition voice — a position that could bolster Musyoka’s national reputation leading up to 2027.

The meeting also takes place amid several upcoming by-elections where ODM and UDA are anticipated to present candidates, prompting questions about the practical extent of their new partnership.