Kisii County Governor Simba Arati has made a surprising move by extending an olive branch to President William Ruto, urging him to rejoin ODM, the party he helped form.
Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations in Marani Sub-County, Arati, who is also ODM’s deputy party leader, encouraged Ruto to register as a party member as a way of strengthening the party and honouring Raila Odinga’s vision.
“The President yesterday said he is going to ensure that ODM remains the party it is. I want to urge him today, Mheshimiwa Ruto, you were a founding member of ODM. How I wish that you would come back to your former party,” Arati said on Monday.
Arati assured the Head of State that he would be considered the party’s flag bearer in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
“If you came back to ODM, then we would have you as our flag bearer. If you came back, we would fulfil the promise Baba had a vision for.”
The Kisii governor reaffirmed that ODM will carry on Raila’s legacy, adding that his vision would serve as foundation to Kenya’s future.
“We commit to carrying Baba’s dream forward. Raila was our north, our compass in times of challenges; his vision will forever be the foundation upon which we build Kenya’s future,” he said.
He encouraged ODM members to “honour his memory by doing the things he championed for.”
Arati’s remarks come a day after President William Ruto said he will work closely with the ODM Party, to uphold Raila Odinga’s belief in multi-party democracy.
Speaking during the burial of the Former Prime Minister on Sunday October 19, Ruto assured that Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will either form the government or be part of it.
“The strength of ODM matters to me because it is how we are going to have a strong democracy. ODM will either form the next government or be a part of the next government,” the president said.
