Former Cabinet Minister Henry Kosgei has sensationally claimed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta attempted to blackmail members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) during its formative days in 2005, in a bid to force them back into KANU.
Speaking at the ODM@20 anniversary event, Kosgei revisited the turbulent months following the defeat of the Wako Draft in the constitutional referendum, when the Orange team emerged as a formidable political force.
According to Kosgei, the victory in the “NO” campaign emboldened leaders from KANU and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to unite under the ODM banner.
However, he says Uhuru, then KANU chairman, resisted the shift and allegedly resorted to oppression.
“Uhuru tried to blackmail us. He wanted us to abandon ODM and return to KANU. I told him, “Go back to your people. Stop harassing us here”.
Tough Beginnings and Uhuru’s Demand
Kosgei, who served as ODM’s first interim chairman, recounted how the group—comprising Raila Odinga, William Ruto, Musalia Mudavadi, and other senior figures—met in Machakos and Naivasha to craft ODM’s structure and principles.
LDP ministers had been sacked after opposing the draft, while KANU advocates faced political marginalization since the 2002 elections, giving birth to the alliance.
Kosgei revealed that early talks were dominated by a fierce debate over membership structure.
The Rift Valley politician said Uhuru initially sought to secure ODM as a platform for KANU’s survival by pushing for corporate membership, a move that sparked heated debate.
Raila Odinga favoured individual membership to prevent party capture, while Uhuru insisted on bloc representation for KANU.
“Uhuru and KANU wanted corporate membership. Raila insisted on individual membership. For two days, we argued before agreeing to accommodate both.”
Kosgei was eventually picked as ODM’s interim chairman after presidential hopefuls Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi, and others agreed none of them should hold the position.
He added that it took the intervention of Julius Kemboi and Otieno Kajwang’ to convince him to accept the post.
ODM Birth and Registration
However, registering the party proved to be a very hard task.
Kosgei narrated how a lawyer, Mugambi Imanyara, precautionary pre-registered ODM, forcing the group to settle for ODM-Kenya.
After retrieving ODM-Kenya’s registration certificate from Sheria House, the group attempted to hold a small rally at Uhuru Park, but police tear-gassed them.
Kosgei recalled that this was the first time ever that the group was ever teargassed by the police.
“The government refused to register us. We had to use connections. At one point, I climbed a barrier at Sheria House to get the certificate. Young people from Kibera tried to grab it. The glass broke and cut my hand,” he said, showing the scar.
The drama intensified when Kalonzo Musyoka and Mutula Kilonzo allegedly hijacked ODM-Kenya.
“They ran away with the party. We were left party-less,” Kosgei said.
Kosgei revealed that Raila later reclaimed ODM after negotiating with Imanyara, restoring the movement’s identity ahead of the 2007 polls.
He also reflected on ODM’s campaign themes, including the slogans Chungwa Moja, Maisha Bora, and the push for devolution.
“We fought against an imperial presidency. We wanted power and resources devolved,” he said.
Kosgei explained that ODM initially used the term “majimbo” during its campaign messaging, but it sparked controversy because some communities interpreted it as ethnic eviction.
To resolve this, Rosemary Adinga suggested an alternative word: “ugatuzi.”
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Kosgei admitted he never understood what “ugatuzi” meant, but the party adopted it anyway.
Kosgei Declines Ruto’s URP
Kosgei revealed that William Ruto personally offered him a direct Senate nomination under URP.
He declined out of loyalty to ODM, even though he knew he would lose because Rift Valley was overwhelmingly URP. His son, however, joined URP and won.
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Kosgei emphasized that rejecting Ruto’s offer was a major sacrifice, as he had been with ODM for eight years.
After losing, Kosgei eventually left ODM and briefly joined URP, then moved to UDM, where he is currently a member.
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