In a political landscape marked by shifting alliances and changing ideologies, the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) led by Raila Odinga has cut ties with many prominent politicians in the past.
After leaving ODM, some of these politicians joined other political parties while others registered their own outfits to remain relevant.
In a surprising turn of events, a section of these politicians returned to the spotlight and shaped the history of the country outside ODM.
In this article, we will revisit the journeys of these prominent figures who once walked away from Raila, capturing their political journeys before, during and after ODM.
How ODM made William Ruto
William Ruto was first elected Member of Parliament for Eldoret North Constituency in 1997 and was reelected in 2002 through the KANU party ticket.
In 2005, Ruto became the KANU Secretary General and announced his interest to vie for the presidency the following year.
However, Ruto’s announcement was not well received by KANU.
Therefore, he sought the nomination of the orange party but lost to Raila Odinga.
Despite losing the nominations, Ruto remained in ODM and supported Raila’s presidential bid, joining the famous Pentagon of 2007.
After the hotly contested 2007 presidential elections and the post-election violence, Ruto was appointed minister for two portfolios in the government: agriculture (2008–10) and higher education (2010–11).
Additionally, he retained his Eldoret North parliamentary seat.
After a falling-out with Raila in 2011, he left the ODM and briefly joined the United Democratic Movement before forming United Republican Party (URP) in 2012.
In the 2013 general election, Ruto joined forces with Uhuru Kenyatta, and they won against his former party leader, Raila Odinga.
In 2017, Uhuru and Ruto successfully defended their seats through the Jubilee Party.
However, after the handshake between Uhuru and Raila in March 2018, Ruto again chose to walk away and formed the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
He used the UDA to vie for the presidency and won against his former party leader Raila.
Musalia Mudavadi
Musalia Mudavadi’s journey with Raila Odinga dates to 2005 when he joined his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Consequently, Mudavadi joined the ‘No’ side in that year’s Referendum on the proposed new Constitution.
After the referendum, Mudavadi joined ODM, and he rose to the Deputy Party Leader.
Just like Ruto, Mudavadi sought the nomination of the ODM candidate for the December 2007 presidential election along with the other defeated candidates.
As part of the grand coalition government, Mudavadi was named as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government on 13 April 2008.
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Mudavadi sought to be ODM flagbearer in the 2013 general election.
However, Mudavadi left ODM after he was locked out of the nomination race through a party constitution clause that gave the party leader a direct nomination as the presidential candidate.
Also, Mudavadi cited lack of political freedom in ODM adding that political mechanisms within the party made it impossible for any other aspirant to seek a successful free and fair presidential nomination.
He joined the United Democratic Front Party (UDF) and became its presidential candidate in the 2013 presidential race where he finished third.
In July 2015 Mudavadi left UDF and formed the Amani National Congress (ANC).
In the 2017 elections, Mudavadi was part of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition together with ODM’s Raila Odinga, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka and Ford-Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula.
He supported Raila for the second time, but they lost to Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto.
In the run up to the 2022 general election, Mudavadi joined Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
He was appointed the Prime Cabinet Secretary in line with his agreement with Ruto before the elections.
Ababu Namwamba
Namwamba came into the limelight when he was elected Budalangi MP through an ODM ticket.
His dedication to the party and his supporters made him be appointed as ODM Secretary General, a position he held from 2008 to 2013.
However, in 2016, Namwamba made a decision that would reshape his political career.
Dissatisfied with the direction of the ODM and its leadership, he joined the newly relaunched Labour Party of Kenya.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Namwamba as a Chief Administrative Secretary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2018.
Currently, Namwamba is the Sports CS, a position he earned due to his support to President Ruto in the 2022 elections.
Aisha Jumwa
The 2010 Constitution provided Aisha Jumwa with an opportunity to bounce back after losing the Kitui South post in the 2007 elections.
Additionally, Jumwa contested for the Kilifi Woman Representative seat in 2007 on an ODM ticket and won.
Still was again elected as MP for Malindi Constituency in 2017.
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Jumwa was among the politicians who shifted allegiances after the handshake between Raila and Uhuru.
Citing discrimination and lack of internal consultation by Raila before the elections, Jumwa left ODM and joined the Hustler Nation.
She argued that the handshake was for Raila’s personal benefit at the expense of his allies.
Attempts by the party to officially eject her from the party and trigger a by-election were thwarted by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT).
The party had accused Jumwa of advancing the interests of another party, even though she was still a member of ODM.
Moreover, the PPDT declared the proceedings, and the decision by ODM to expel Jumwa, invalid.
In 2022, she officially left the orange party and joined UDA led by Ruto.
Jumwa vied for the Kilifi County gubernatorial seat but lost to Gideon Mung’aro.
However, President Ruto named her as the CS for Public Service, Affirmative Action, and Gender Mainstreaming.
Other Politicians
Other politicians who were once members of ODM include Defence CS Aden Duale, CS for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Salim Mvurya and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
