Speaking during a delegates’ meeting, the Kisii governor said ODM remains a strong national party and is confident it will lead Kenya in the next election cycle.
While his remarks appeared friendly on the surface, they carried a strong political signal about the future of alliances ahead of 2027.
Arati said he had no personal objection to President Ruto seeking another term in office. However, he insisted that if Ruto intends to contest again, he should do so on an ODM ticket.
“For now, we are working together,” Arati told party members.
Arati said he had no personal objection to President Ruto seeking another term in office. However, he insisted that if Ruto intends to contest again, he should do so on an ODM ticket.
“For now, we are working together,” Arati told party members.
“But when 2027 comes, we will have serious conversations about the direction of leadership.”
The outspoken ODM deputy argued that ODM played a major role in shaping President Ruto’s political journey and should therefore be central to any future leadership plans involving him.
The outspoken ODM deputy argued that ODM played a major role in shaping President Ruto’s political journey and should therefore be central to any future leadership plans involving him.
According to Arati, ODM is not a minor partner in national politics but a foundation party with deep roots across the country.
He went on to say that the party had already agreed internally that ODM would field or support a candidate who would lead the country after the next election.
“We have agreed as a party that ODM will form the next government,” Arati said.
He went on to say that the party had already agreed internally that ODM would field or support a candidate who would lead the country after the next election.
“We have agreed as a party that ODM will form the next government,” Arati said.
“If President Ruto wants to continue leading, he should come back to ODM.”
Arati reminded delegates that ODM was born out of a long political struggle that shaped modern Kenyan politics.
Arati reminded delegates that ODM was born out of a long political struggle that shaped modern Kenyan politics.
He traced the party’s history to the 2005 constitutional referendum, when leaders opposed to the proposed constitution rallied behind the orange symbol, which later became a powerful political identity.
That movement, he said, brought together leaders who would later dominate Kenya’s political space, including President Ruto and the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Over the weekend, Arati toured Iten town in Elgeyo Marakwet County, where he led a large convoy that briefly brought traffic to a standstill.
That movement, he said, brought together leaders who would later dominate Kenya’s political space, including President Ruto and the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Over the weekend, Arati toured Iten town in Elgeyo Marakwet County, where he led a large convoy that briefly brought traffic to a standstill.
The visit was part of a wider effort to energise ODM supporters and strengthen party structures ahead of future elections.
Following the meeting, Arati urged ODM members to remain united, saying internal divisions could weaken the party at a critical time. He stressed that unity would be key in maintaining the broad-based appeal that ODM has enjoyed over the years.
This is not the first time Arati has publicly invited President Ruto to return to ODM. Shortly after the death of Raila Odinga, Arati reached out to the president, suggesting that ODM remained open and inclusive even in a new era without its longtime leader.
At the time, Arati said that if Ruto rejoined the party, he would naturally become its presidential candidate in 2027, given his national profile and experience.
His remarks followed assurances by President Ruto that he would support the stability and continuity of ODM after Raila’s passing. Those comments sparked fresh debate about the future relationship between ODM and the ruling administration.
Arati has consistently described Raila Odinga as a political mentor and national figure whose legacy must be protected. He said Raila’s vision of justice, democracy, and inclusive leadership should continue guiding ODM’s path.
Following the meeting, Arati urged ODM members to remain united, saying internal divisions could weaken the party at a critical time. He stressed that unity would be key in maintaining the broad-based appeal that ODM has enjoyed over the years.
This is not the first time Arati has publicly invited President Ruto to return to ODM. Shortly after the death of Raila Odinga, Arati reached out to the president, suggesting that ODM remained open and inclusive even in a new era without its longtime leader.
At the time, Arati said that if Ruto rejoined the party, he would naturally become its presidential candidate in 2027, given his national profile and experience.
His remarks followed assurances by President Ruto that he would support the stability and continuity of ODM after Raila’s passing. Those comments sparked fresh debate about the future relationship between ODM and the ruling administration.
Arati has consistently described Raila Odinga as a political mentor and national figure whose legacy must be protected. He said Raila’s vision of justice, democracy, and inclusive leadership should continue guiding ODM’s path.
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