Kipruto Kirwa predicts ODM-UDA merger, calls out Raila for supporting govt
Written by Inka FM on 10 March 2025
Former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Vice Chairperson Kipruto Arap Kirwa has hit out at Raila Odinga, terming him as the true embodiment of the watermelon tag commonly associated with Kalonzo Musyoka.
Speaking during a live interview on Monday, March 10, 2025, the former minister, who worked alongside Raila in Mwai Kibaki’s government, detailed Raila’s tendency to storm the government from the opposition and disrupt established political formation through his trademark political dealings and moves, referencing his recent handshake deal with President William Ruto.
In his assertion, Kirwa cited Raila’s 1992 struggles with Kijana Wamalwa for the control of FORD Kenya following Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s death and his subsequent political schemes after the formation of the Orange Democratic Movement in 2005.
“Politics is meant to identify a winner and loser. Those who don’t make it wait for another day. But since 1992, Raila has never lasted 5 years in opposition benches. In all other elections, Raila has never lasted for five years in any formation, including the party he assisted in winning elections in 2002. He had left by 2005 and went to Orange, which he still carries to date. In all subsequent elections, Raila has not stayed in five years except for 2013/17, when he stayed in opposition to have a go for presidency,” the politician stated.
Kirwa therefore contends that Raila has thus created a scenario he termed “The Raila phenomenon” of a man who has defied political formation determined by elections through his actions.
Raila phenomenon
“So we are dealing with what I call the Raila phenomenon. Where politics is defined by the convenience of an individual who does not believe an election ought to define a particular formation. Therefore, the watermelon name they have given to Kalonzo has now come true of Raila. He is a watermelon, and Kenyans have been kind to him to be forgiving him for all these mistakes he makes,” he said.
Kirwa additionally weighed in on the recent pact to work together between Raila and Ruto, branding it as a mere political gimmick.
“This is just a political gimmick. Let us not call it anything else. They are just planning to run together. I suspect they could merge the two parties, or Ruto will dissolve UDA and join ODM; after all, he started his journey in ODM as one of the Pentagon members,” he opined.
The politician’s remarks come as many people mull what the deal holds as far as Kenya’s political future is concerned.
Speaking shortly after the signing of the deal, Raila maintained it’s not a political partnership but an MoU geared towards easing tensions and alleviating the political, social, and economic issues plaguing the country.
“We have agreed to use our parties as a broad platform bringing together various voices, opinions, and concerns to address the critical challenges facing the country through a formation that is truly inclusive in outlook. We make it clear that the memorandum we have signed today does not define the formation of a political coalition between ODM and UDA. However, its successful implementation could inform the basis of steps towards the establishment of a constitutive formation of a stable country in the future,” Odinga stated.
