BY KENNEDY OTIENO
Raila Odinga’s younger sister Ruth Odinga has threatened to quit the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), claiming it no longer provides a platform to champion the ideals her late brother stood for.
Speaking on Thursday at Migwena Cultural and Sports Ground in Bondo, Siaya, during the first anniversary of Raila’s death, Ruth said she will trade anything for the ideals Raila championed in his life time.
The Kisumu Woman Representative vowed to remain remain committed to defending democracy, human rights, social justice, equity and constitutionalism — principles she said were central to both Raila and their father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Ruth said she would continue pursuing the ideals as an ODM member, but left open the possibility of walking away from the party if it became impossible to achieve them within the outfit.
“I, Ruth Odinga, will protect democracy and freedoms he and others fought for. Some paid the ultimate price. I will do so as a member of the ODM Party. But if that will not be possible to achieve as a member of ODM, then I will do it outside the ODM party,” she said.
The remarks inject a fresh dimension into the deepening fallout within the Orange party which has been struggling to get footing following the death of Raila in October last year.
Ruth invoked the political philosophy of Jaramogi and Raila, saying the two stood for democracy, nation-building, non-tribal politics, equity, social justice, respect for human rights and constitutionalism.
She portrayed Raila as a politician who believed that both the means and the end mattered, insisting that he never subscribed to buying political loyalty, blatant lies or tribal politics.
“Loyalty, he believed, was earned, not purchased,” Ruth said, adding that it was this ethical approach to politics that gave Raila legitimacy across successive political regimes.
She urged the family, ODM and Raila’s supporters to guard the principles for which the former Prime Minister fought, as she pledged to remain at the forefront of defending the freedoms and democratic gains associated with his legacy.
